My dear friend, nothing is the same. You left in 12- 2014 and Carl, my sweet husband left 12-2013. Elayne and I are still heart-broken.
  Time has not taken away our sadness of your absence. It is still hard to breath at times and our tears are still there. I have found that Jesus has taken over your job of caring for me. I am safe and I still smile, because just knowing that I'll see you again in Heaven some day. God is very good to me, but I believe you took my JOY with you when you left. Elayne moved back to Missouri. She is keeping on, keeping on! But it isn't easy. We are two lost women with only half a heart, because you two took our other half with you. I can't believe it is nearly the end of 2016. Nap and Carl, You'll be missed every second of everyday the rest of our days. You two were the LOVE of our lives.

Nappy and Mona Helz (Lesli's mom) now share a very special day. This day each year, people all over the world gather to celebrate the comfort, peace and promise of the birth of the Savior.

For our families, it is also and will forever be, the day of Mona and Nap's rebirth. The day they defeated death, as promised by the Savior, and were welcomed into the fullness of eternal life with God in Heaven.

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful, rest forever in your peace and glory. Amen."

Hope you're showing my mom around tonight.

Elayne Arne, you left a message on my phone re Nap's passing and first let me say how sorry I am to hear that news. I tried to call you but I could not, apparently, get the number right. So, my land line is 972-307-1535 and that is Dallas. Please call me again or email me with your phone number. I would love to chat with you about " The Napper", or "Goose", which in '57-58 was an alternate nickname for him. I'll not relate here what his alternate nick-names for me or others, were!!
My email address is dttx74@gmail.com.
God bless the memory of Nap Arne, a unique individual and a truly great guy.
Duke Twedt

Nap was my father-in-law and he welcomed me into the Arne family with open arms. Ever the entertainer, he loved to make people laugh and spread joy with his jokes and stories and magic tricks. I’ll never forget his mischievous smile and the twinkle in his eye when he was puling your leg (something he’s passed on to his “boys”). He had a real love of life, an almost childlike enthusiasm that never faltered, even toward the end. I never heard him complain (not even once!) and as many people have said, he was unfailingly positive and upbeat—a true inspiration. I think he was able to face his fading health with such courage and grace because he had what mattered most: friends, family, faith, and a life well lived. We’ll miss him but he remains with us in spirit. There’s even a Sacagawea dollar tucked away in the Galapagos Islands to carry on his legacy—I'd like to think he’s out there right now leading someone to it to brighten their day!

Words just can't say what I want to here. I miss and love you Nappy.

Elayne - we are so sorry to hear of Nap's passing. We hold such dear memories of our times together at the Gasconade: boat rides.. camp fires... and one of our favorites of making apple butter. We have thought and spoken of you folks often throughout the years - and loved reading and looking at pictures of a beautiful life lived. We also enjoyed discovering that Nap enjoyed playing cribbage... the guitar... and John Prine! A few of our favorites! Nap was special,and the world is a better place because he passed through it. We're grateful for crossing paths with both you and Nap - and better people because of it. Please know we send our love and light to you and your family and wish for you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Thanks for the memories.

Elayne,
I have a lot of really good memories of working and traveling with Nap. I especially remember and enjoyed the humor of a really great guy and the fact that he was always interested in getting something done. It's also great to see how happy he was in all the pictures. It was an honor to know him.

Niece Candy Nester just posted the most loving, amazing, fun story(s) about Nap and some pictures from the 1950s. Please read her beautiful tribute to him and his sense of humor and kindness under "Stories" when you get a chance.

Peace to all in the New Year

We will remember Nap, the smiling guy in the big truck who always honked and waved whenever he saw us in our yard, on the street or in the HEB parking lot. He was our neighbor who, without fail, had the "Certainly, I can do that" answer when we needed a favor or help with a project. His, coins, magic tricks, and music all added to his delightful personality.  We know, though much missed here, Nap is making his friends up there smile.

"Elayne, there will always be smiles and happy memories left by Nap with so many people. We have three of his coins, one in each car and one in the drawer of our dinning room table where we remember him doing card tricks and keeping everyone amazed. He will always be missed and we feel blessed to have known him."

Elayne, Rich and I were so so sad to hear of Nap's passing. But even as we say that, we can see his smiling face at the Club, and telling his frog joke, and doing his fancy card tricks, all with a gleam in his eye. We remember playing cards with him --- and him winning, as usual! So happy and full of life! He will be missed, that's for sure!

I was so sorry to hear of Nap's passing. After reading his obituary I realize there were many things I didn't know about him. But the one thing I do know is that he was a kind and gentle soul, always welcoming and ready to talk! My deepest condolences to you Elayne and to your extended family. I love you deeply and will be in touch soon. God bless you and may Nap rest in peace!

Elayne – We have such great memories of the times we shared with you and Nap camping at Marble Creek and our visits to your home on the Gasconade River. Great conversations around the campfire at Marble Creek after sharing the expertly prepared campfire dutch oven meals that Nap and David cooked up for us. Wading in the Gasconade after lawn bowling at your place in Dixon. So many wonderful memories. I am sure that everyone lucky enough to have shared time and experiences with both you and Nap know how blessed they are. Nap’s ready smile and quick sense of humor will be greatly missed. All our love, David, Mary, Shawn and Jon

Rick and I both enjoyed knowing Nap. He was a wonderful man always willing to help out at RYC. It was also a pleasure to have him race with us a time or two. My deepest sympathy to Elayne and family.

Nap was a genuine man. His warm smile, pleasant voice, and friendly manner were always a welcome addition to any event at RYC. Ever ready to lend a helping hand, his knowledge and skills were assets on any project at the club. We will miss everything that you were. Rest in peace, Nap.

Gail Sears Thank you SO MUCH for adding the Nap and Carl pictures. I have many from Susie but had not gotten to them yet to add. Wonderful memories!

And you know Nap and Carl are having a blast now that they are back together!

Today I went to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church (ELCA) service here in Rockport. Pastor Haynes has been visiting Nap since about 10 Nov. Pastor Haynes acknowledged Nap's passing into peace and glory and I could just hear all the ELCA friends and relatives now hanging with Nap in Heaven, how they must have been cheering when his name was mentioned at the service today! Also, so much of the music today was about Angels. It was perfect! Thank you Pastor Haynes and Holy Cross

THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
                 BY SAM WALTERS FOSS
                      (1858-1911)

          There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
             in the peace of their self-content;
         There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart,
                 in a fellowless firmament;
         There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
                where highways never ran;
    But let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

         Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
              where the race of men go by
       The men who are good and the men who are bad,
                as good and as bad as I.
            I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
                 or hurl the cynic's ban,
         Let me live in a house by the side of the road
                 and be a friend to man.

           I see from my house by the side of the road,
               by the side of the highway of life,
           The men who pass with the ardor of hope,
              the men who are faint with the strife.
        But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears--
              both parts of an infinite plan;-
  Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

       I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead
             and mountains of wearisome height,
       That the road passes on through the long afternoon
               and stretches away to the night.
          But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
           and weep with the strangers that moan,
  Nor live in my house by the side of the road like a man who dwells
                          alone.

         Let me live in my house by the side of the road
               where the race of men go by--
         They are good, they are bad, they are weak,
           they are strong, wise, foolish--so am I.
  Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat or hurl the cynic's ban?
 Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.


This is one of Naps favorite poems. This poem hangs on my wall too.

What I remember: The gold dollar coins and how happy it made Nap to hand them out. Nights sitting around the fire down at their river home and how Nap would entertain everyone. I called him the social director and what a marvelous job he did. Since moving away from their river home in Dixon, it was never the same. You are missed Nap and loved. Thank you for always making me laugh.

Nap was always ready to help out, with everything from pulling a well pump, to overseeing A/C repair, to coming to the rescue when the car battery died and etc. etc. etc! And always upbeat, cheerful and so much fun. We're all going to miss him!

Sig and I are so saddened to hear of Nap's passing. We want to express our sincere condolences to Elayne and family at this most difficult time. We have many lovely memories of sharing a good conversation with Nap and enjoying his sense of humor at the Rockport Yacht Club. He will be greatly missed!

My family holds many great memories with Nap and Elayne. My mother , may she rest in peace loved you dearly. We still see your smile each time we think of you. Lots of love from Susan, Krista and Tyler

Thank you for the memories! Reading your bio I would say you had a pretty full life. You will be missed by everyone that was part of your life at some point. When you get to your new home tell Ray "HI" for me.

Good Bye for now

"Roy and I have so many wonderful, fun memories of Nap, beginning with Nap being my first boss while working for the Army which started a great friendship over the years. I will never forget our camping trips to Marble Falls and Roy and I got caught sleeping in our van instead to the tent, and his famous chili he would make the first night of camping and we had to guess what the secret recipe included. Also, all the wonderful times at the river camping, making apple butter with all our friends, riding in Naps boat down the river and Elaine and I in a tire tub floating in the river while Nap and Roy were in the boat with Dixie and Louie. Louie just loved to see Nap and Dixie and she would greet me big time with her tail wagging, oh some many memories I can't put them all in words. He will be missed greatly, but never forgotten. Now he is at peace and we will all join him again in the future. All our love.