Lee Harrison Arntz, 89, of Chippewa Falls, town of LaFayette, died Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at his home. 

Lee was born December 14, 1936 in Chippewa Falls to Lee A. and Margaret (Bonnin) Arntz. 

Following graduation from McDonell High School in 1954, Lee joined the United States Navy.  He served for four years as a heavy equipment operator in the Mobile Construction Battalion, known as the SeaBees, and was honorably discharged in December, 1958.

On October 20, 1956, he married Evelyn Stoehr at Notre Dame Church, Chippewa Falls; they had 5 children and later divorced. 

As a political science major at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Lee entered politics and was elected Sheriff of Chippewa County in 1962. He was the youngest Sheriff in the State of Wisconsin at age 25 and served two terms from 1962 to 1966. Throughout his career he held management positions at Civil Police, Ltd., Frito-Lay, Inc. and Badger Army Ammunition Plant. He worked in the trucking industry dispatching and transporting liquid natural gas and other petroleum products at Indianhead Truck Lines, Berg Petroleum Carriers and retired from Prairie Line Trucking, Inc. in 2006. 

He married Barbara Neada Barrington on April, 12, 2005, in Las Vegas, NV.

Lee is survived by his wife, Barbara; 3 sons, Lee J. (Roseanne) Arntz of Apple Valley, MN, Michael P. (Sherry) Arntz of Chippewa Falls, and Nicholas A. (Cris) Arntz of Apple Valley, MN; 2 daughters, Pamela J. Gartmann, Chippewa Falls, and Janelle M. (Richard) Grant, Chippewa Falls; 1 stepson Peter J. (Maren) Barrington of Apple Valley, MN; 2 stepdaughters, Wendy L. (Ed Sullivan) Barrington, Chippewa Falls and Kerri L. (Deb Charpentier) Barrington of Mound, MN. He is further survived by two brothers, Joseph E. Arntz of Berlin, Germany and Timothy J. (Judi) Arntz of West Hills, CA; 1 sister, Sandra (Joe Placek) Shaurette-Placek of Chippewa Falls; 1 sister-in-law Andi Arntz of Apple Valley, MN; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee A. and Margaret Arntz, 1 brother, Patrick Arntz; 1 grandson, Jonathan Lee Arntz; and nephew, Jacob D. Arntz. 

Lee loved life and spending time with family and friends - enjoying a Jameson on the deck. He was always "better than ever" and will be remembered as the Man, the Myth, the Legend! 

A memorial service will be held at Noon, Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls with Deacon Dan Rider officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council. 

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at the funeral home. 

AFTER SERVICE NOTICE:

A Memorial service for Lee H. Arntz was held at Noon Thursday, April 2nd at the Horan Funeral Home.

Deacon Dan Rider officiated at the services. Military rites were conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council with Taps played by Ryan Roach.

Words of appreciation were given by his son, Mike Arntz.

Casket bearers were his 8 grandsons, Bret, Derrick, Mikey, Mitch and Zac Arntz, Athen Aston, Tyler Grant and Luke Orinstien.