Colton Arends

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Colton Paul Arends was born on May 10, 1996 to Paul and Teresa (Menning) Arends at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was raised on the family farm east of Luverne, Minnesota. From a young age, his beaming spirit always found a way to light up the room. Colton was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where he was baptized and confirmed his faith in the Lord. Growing up on the farm he learned all aspects of the operation. As a kid, he helped his Dad and Grandpa all of the time. He learned to drive a pickup across the field (at age 9), later learning to drive tractor, plant, spray crops, running the combine at harvest and hauling semi loads of grain home. His wit and humor began at a young age when his hatred for shopping was so strong he hid in the middle of a clothes rack at a store and was missing for at least a half an hour, scaring his mother into probably never taking him shopping again.

Living in the country, he enjoyed cruising around the sections with his Dad and friends on his four-wheeler all year round and snowmobiling in the winter. Yearly, his Dad would find a deal on a snowmobile or something with an engine and Colton would be quick to help him turn a wrench or find a way to get it tuned up and working well again. This love of engines later transitioned into driving cars on dirt tracks and going to races.

Colton attended school in Luverne. He played hockey through the bantam level, enjoyed bowling, and golfed on the high school team. In addition to farming, he worked at the Verne Drive-In. Colton graduated from Luverne High School in 2015. He furthered his education at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota and graduated with a degree in Ag Business in 2019. He then returned to the family farming operation, working alongside his Dad.

As each year passed, Colton became more passionate about racing. Whenever someone gave him a call, he was willing to lend a helping hand on a racecar or offer some advice with a setup. He always gave his best to troubleshoot any problem. He was fortunate to attend and participate in many races, including the Duel in the Desert in November 2020, and the Bristol Dirt Nationals in March 2021 and 2022. As a stock car driver, he earned the top spot as the Rapid Speedway Point Champion three seasons in a row. Racing not only gave him lifelong friendships and memories, but Rapid Speedway happened to be the spot he met Anna in July of 2020. They were blessed with a son, Knox Colton, on September 17, 2022, and if anyone asked he would say that was the best day of his life. Colton loved his family, spending time together was very important to him, whether it was playing games, bringing Knox on 4 wheeler rides, semi rides, and tractor rides, or just hanging out. Just like racing, Colton lived life wide open.

In addition to racing and family, Colton was also very passionate about farming. In recent years, he began a baling business. Colton was a member of the Rock County Corn and Soybean Grower Association, serving on its board, and assisted with the Rock County Pork Producers.

Colton also loved riding snowmobiles in the winter, and golf in the summer. He was blessed to be a part of countless great trips out west with friends and family. He enjoyed being a member of the Rock County Sno-Masters. He loved checking out what was new and comparing the different sleds, accessories and setups. He was involved in the Wednesday golf league and many, many golf tournaments.

He always had a smile on his face and laughed often, many times at his own humor, and loved to tease whenever an opportunity came. Colton had the lyrics memorized to pretty much every song and started singing along whenever he turned on the radio. He loved his Johnny Carinos spaghetti and meatballs, but his greatest joy was being a Dad. He most recently enjoyed introducing Knox to the life of farming.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Colton died at his home at the age of 29 years, 8 months and 11 days.

Grateful for his life, Colton’s spirit will continue to live in the hearts of his girlfriend, Anna McCarty of Luverne; two children, Knox and Wrenleigh; parents, Paul and Teresa of Luverne; sister, Peyton (Mike) Haburn of Beaver Creek, Minnesota; maternal grandma, Ginny Menning of Luverne; paternal grandpa, Tom Arends of Luverne; aunts and uncles, Beth & Kent Senf, Jon & Erika Menning, Cindy Menning; and numerous relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandpa, Clyde Menning; paternal grandma, Dixie Arends; and uncle, Tim Menning.

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