In Memory Of
Mark Edward Arneson
1949
2023
Mark Edward Arneson
September 9, 1949 — April 14, 2023
Mark Edward Arneson, age 73, of Chesterfield, Missouri, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023, at home in Chesterfield. He was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on September 9, 1949, to Eugene and Eileen Arneson.
Mark grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, and Tucson, Arizona. He spent many fun summers working on his aunt and uncle's farm in Iowa. There he put his trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a tent revival meeting. This decision shaped his life and was the foundation for his values of hard work, serving others, and loving people well.
He went to high school in Tucson and received a football scholarship to the University of Arizona. Mark was the first Arizona Wildcat to earn first-team All-American honors. During his sophomore year of college, he met Kris on a blind date. They quickly fell in love and married in 1971.
Mark was drafted in the second round of the NFL to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his nine seasons (1972–1980) with the "Cardiac Cards" he earned honors such as Cardinals Rookie of the Year, the Paul Christman Memorial Award for civic and athletic achievements, and a career total of 17.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. The most memorable moment of his career came on his 30th birthday, September 9, 1979, when he recovered a fumble and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown in a 27–14 win over the New York Giants.
Mark was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while at the University of Arizona and was an active participant in FCA during his NFL career and until recently. FCA provided an opportunity for Mark to share his stories about football as a platform to introduce the gospel to students and coaches. He served on the FCA Board of Directors for 43 years and hosted hundreds of FCA Huddle meetings in his home.
Mark's greatest joy was his family, including three children and six grandchildren. Mark and Kris enjoyed taking their children, Erik, Justin, and Emily, on family trips, including their favorite vacation spot of Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Mark always wanted to share his love for Christ with his children and grandchildren, and took time to point conversations to Christ and Bible teaching. Mark and Kris celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on April 3, 2023.
Following his football career, Mark worked as a general and flooring contractor. He always wanted a flexible job so he could have enough time for hunting. His passion after the Lord and his family was bird hunting. Each fall he would spend many weekends hunting in Kansas, South Dakota, and Illinois. He also enjoyed teaching the Bible and actively led Bible studies at his home and First Free Church.
Mark participated in the DIAGNOSE Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Research Project through Boston University, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Stern. His wish was to donate his brain for further research and possible diagnosis of CTE. Mark also suffered from Alzheimer's for the last decade.
Mark is survived by his wife, Kristine L. Arneson of Chesterfield, Missouri; his children Mark Erik (Wendy) Arneson of Swansea, Illinois, and Emily Arneson of Chesterfield, Missouri; his daughter-in-law Joanna Arneson of Union, Missouri; his grandchildren, David Arneson, Jonathan Arneson, Samuel Arneson, Noah Arneson, Brady Arneson, and Eden Arneson; and his siblings, Ann (Keith) Valesh, Jim (Zane) Arneson, and Tom (Mary Jane) Arneson.
Mark is preceded in death by his son Justin Thomas Arneson and his parents, Eugene and Eileen Arneson.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. at First Free Church, 1375 Carman Road, Manchester, Missouri 63021 in the auditorium, with a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 p.m. Followed by a luncheon in the Activity Center. Guests should use the North Entrance, door # 5 to enter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mark's name may be given to the Greater St. Louis Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1400 South Highway Dr., Fenton, MO 63099, or online at https://my.fca.org/greaterstlouisfca to donate.
The Arneson family wishes to thank the caregivers, medical staff, and ProMedica Hospice who supported Mark the last few years and days of his life. We would also like to thank the NFL Plan 88 for their assistance in getting the best care possible for Mark.
To share a memory of Mark or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To learn more about Mark's football career, check out this link: https://thebigredzone.com.
Mark grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, and Tucson, Arizona. He spent many fun summers working on his aunt and uncle's farm in Iowa. There he put his trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a tent revival meeting. This decision shaped his life and was the foundation for his values of hard work, serving others, and loving people well.
He went to high school in Tucson and received a football scholarship to the University of Arizona. Mark was the first Arizona Wildcat to earn first-team All-American honors. During his sophomore year of college, he met Kris on a blind date. They quickly fell in love and married in 1971.
Mark was drafted in the second round of the NFL to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his nine seasons (1972–1980) with the "Cardiac Cards" he earned honors such as Cardinals Rookie of the Year, the Paul Christman Memorial Award for civic and athletic achievements, and a career total of 17.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. The most memorable moment of his career came on his 30th birthday, September 9, 1979, when he recovered a fumble and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown in a 27–14 win over the New York Giants.
Mark was introduced to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes while at the University of Arizona and was an active participant in FCA during his NFL career and until recently. FCA provided an opportunity for Mark to share his stories about football as a platform to introduce the gospel to students and coaches. He served on the FCA Board of Directors for 43 years and hosted hundreds of FCA Huddle meetings in his home.
Mark's greatest joy was his family, including three children and six grandchildren. Mark and Kris enjoyed taking their children, Erik, Justin, and Emily, on family trips, including their favorite vacation spot of Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Mark always wanted to share his love for Christ with his children and grandchildren, and took time to point conversations to Christ and Bible teaching. Mark and Kris celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on April 3, 2023.
Following his football career, Mark worked as a general and flooring contractor. He always wanted a flexible job so he could have enough time for hunting. His passion after the Lord and his family was bird hunting. Each fall he would spend many weekends hunting in Kansas, South Dakota, and Illinois. He also enjoyed teaching the Bible and actively led Bible studies at his home and First Free Church.
Mark participated in the DIAGNOSE Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Research Project through Boston University, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Stern. His wish was to donate his brain for further research and possible diagnosis of CTE. Mark also suffered from Alzheimer's for the last decade.
Mark is survived by his wife, Kristine L. Arneson of Chesterfield, Missouri; his children Mark Erik (Wendy) Arneson of Swansea, Illinois, and Emily Arneson of Chesterfield, Missouri; his daughter-in-law Joanna Arneson of Union, Missouri; his grandchildren, David Arneson, Jonathan Arneson, Samuel Arneson, Noah Arneson, Brady Arneson, and Eden Arneson; and his siblings, Ann (Keith) Valesh, Jim (Zane) Arneson, and Tom (Mary Jane) Arneson.
Mark is preceded in death by his son Justin Thomas Arneson and his parents, Eugene and Eileen Arneson.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, May 9, 2023 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. at First Free Church, 1375 Carman Road, Manchester, Missouri 63021 in the auditorium, with a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 p.m. Followed by a luncheon in the Activity Center. Guests should use the North Entrance, door # 5 to enter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mark's name may be given to the Greater St. Louis Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1400 South Highway Dr., Fenton, MO 63099, or online at https://my.fca.org/greaterstlouisfca to donate.
The Arneson family wishes to thank the caregivers, medical staff, and ProMedica Hospice who supported Mark the last few years and days of his life. We would also like to thank the NFL Plan 88 for their assistance in getting the best care possible for Mark.
To share a memory of Mark or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To learn more about Mark's football career, check out this link: https://thebigredzone.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mark Edward Arneson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
9:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)
First Free Church
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
First Free Church
Guestbook
Visits: 40
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