Gradon L. "Babe" Arendsee, Sr.

PORTAGE  --   Gradon L. “Babe” Arendsee, Sr., age 83, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at Tivoli in Portage.

Gradon was born on August 26, 1931, on his parent’s farm in the Township of Springfield, near Montello, the second son of Leon and Adaline (Brown) Arendsee.  He received his nickname from the neighborhood boys for his love of baseball.  Gradon’s older brother, Charles Arendsee had been born just at the beginning of the Great Depression.  Life was difficult during those years and his family had to work hard and make many sacrifices to make ends meet.  Gradon graduated from Montello High School, and worked at a mink farm from 1947-1949.  He then moved to Sarasota, Florida where he worked as a bell hop at the Ringling Hotel during the filming of the movie, “The Greatest Show on Earth”.  In 1950 he began his service to his country in the United States Navy. Assigned to Naval Aviation, he worked as an airplane mechanic.  He was stationed at Corry Field, in Pensacola, Florida, Barin Field, in Alabama, and Miramar Field in California.

Gradon was married on July 21, 1956, and moved, with his wife, Janet, to Milwaukee where he worked at Johnson Controls for nine years and helped his brother-in-law, Calvin Breezer with his race car.  He then moved his family to Briggsville and worked at ABG Plastics.  In 1976, Gradon and Janet purchased the Badger Restaurant and renamed it the Levee Restaurant, owning it for 26 years.  During this time he was also employed at Portage Industries until his retirement in 1998.  After he retired he enjoyed golfing.  Gradon was an avid Badger and Packer fan, and enjoyed spending time with all his family.  He holds a special place in all our hearts and will be greatly missed. 

He is survived by his children, Greg (Marcia Boyse) Arendsee, of Lake Delton, Glen Arendsee, of Wisconsin Dells, Gigi (Tom) Hilgendorf, of Portage, and Gradon (Tisha) Arendsee, of Fox Lake; his grandchildren, Jason (Emily) Arendsee, and Jeff Arendsee, all of Baraboo, Calvin Arendsee, of Wisconsin Dells, Rachel (Fiance’ Adam Dempsey) Arendsee, of Baraboo, Chelsey Hilgendorf and Janelle Hilgendorf, both of Portage, and Carmen Briones, of Fox Lake; his great-grandchildren, Samuel, Magdelayna and Kielly, other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his great-grandma, Leona Brown, his brother, Charles Arendsee, Janet Arendsee, his uncle and aunt, Gradon and Doris Brown, and his daughter-in-law, Tami Arendsee.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage with Rev. Bob Moberg officiating.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, in Lewiston Township.  Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at the funeral home.