John "Arny" Arnold Wallden

John Arnold “Arny” Wallden, 93, of Rockford, went home to be with his Lord at 7:57 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2022. Arny was born on June 20, 1928, in Rockford to John and Elizabeth Wallden. He graduated from East High School in 1946 and served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army before marrying Mary Lou Carter on December 27, 1954.

Arny attended Rockford College and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1957 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He earned a Professional Engineer’s license and spent most of his career at the general contracting firm of Larson and Wallden, Inc., where he was President and part-owner.

As a valued Board member of the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association (NIBCA) for 12 years, Arny held several offices, including President. He chaired the Bricklayer Bargaining Committee and was instrumental in establishing the Brick Mason Apprenticeship School in Rockford, which later became a regional center. After his retirement, he became an Honorary Member of the NIBCA.

Arny exercised his many artistic talents through Rosemaling and woodworking, creating beautiful family keepsakes and items for charitable functions. He, along with his wife, designed and built their homes in Rockford and on Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton, Wis. Arny passed many happy hours with family and friends at the lake house, where he loved to soak up the sun and fish.

A long-time active member of First Lutheran Church, Arny was always willing to lend a hand, whether it meant building a life-sized donkey for a Christmas program, painting signs, or escorting children to an after-school program at the church.

Remembered fondly by many for his affable personality, Arny thoroughly enjoyed meeting and conversing with people. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His family adored him and appreciated all the help and guidance Arny gave throughout their lives. They also loved hearing him relate stories of his childhood, his time on the semi-pro Golden Eagles football team, and his treasured breakfast gatherings with friends. He will be greatly missed.

Arny is survived by his children, Richard (Susan) Wallden of Del., David (Keri) Wallden of Rockford and Joanne Wegscheid (Javier Alonso) of Warrenville. Also surviving are grandchildren, April (Justin) Baier, Amanda (Jeff) Macke, Krista (Chris) Rieser, Samuel (Kiley) Wallden, Brian (Genevieve) Wallden, Michelle Wegscheid (Matan Cohen), Grace (Jeffrey) Johnson, and Erik Wegscheid; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth (Herb) Schoppe of Aurora; very special friend, Joanne Johnson of Rockford; and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date in June. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. The family requests that memorials in Arny’s name be given to the Music Academy in Rockford or to Rockford University.