Arden Henry Saalfeld, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, entered into the embrace of the Lord on November 29, 2024.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 20, at 10:30 AM, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Patrick Sparling officiating.  Private family interment will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Friday, from 9:30 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service on Friday at 10:15 AM at the church.  In lieu of flowers, plants, stones, etc., memorial donations are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

The youngest of five children, Arden was born on September 6, 1937 in Columbus, Nebraska to Albert J. and Elsa (Lueschen) Saalfeld. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church and graduated from Kramer High School. On June 6, 1959, he was united in marriage to Nancy Schwarz, with whom he had two sons.

Arden was employed by Behlen Mfg. Co. for over 53 years. He started working in the Construction Department, and then advanced to various departments, specializing in sales of S-Span buildings. He retired as National Sales Account Manager. During his employment with Behlen, he received many awards for top sales.

Mr. Saalfeld was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where he served as an usher and audit committee member. At Christ and Immanuel churches, he sang in church quartets; and, he was a member of the Apollo Club. He was a charter member of the Elks Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, Nebraska sports, the St. Louis Cardinals, and world geography.

Arden will be remembered for his positive outlook, love of his family, dedication to his job, and his appreciation for the natural wonders of the world. Nancy and he enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to have traveled to all 50 U.S. states and many countries.

In recent years, his battle with post-polio syndrome showed his courage and dignity as he faced his challenges with a smile and always maintained his quick wit and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Harold and Lorna (Loseke) Schwarz, brothers Theodore and Richard, sister Lueva Sander-Hellbusch, three brothers-in-law, Harlan Sander, Melvin Sander, and Ruben Hellbusch, and one sister-in-law, Elna Saalfeld.

Survived by:
Wife: Nancy Saalfeld of Columbus, NE
Son: John Philip (Cynthia) Saalfeld of Mill Valley, CA
Son: Daniel Arden Saalfeld of Washington, D.C.
Sister: Dolores Sander of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law: Hazel Saalfeld of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law: Paul (Doris) Schwarz of Columbus, NE
Many loving nieces and nephews