David "Buckwheat" L. Arp

David “Buckwheat” Lee Arp was born on March 29, 1966 to Myron and Lois (Matthiesen) Arp in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on his family farm in Pipestone County, Minnesota and attended Edgerton Public School, graduating in 1985. After graduation, Buckwheat began working at Fey Industries. He worked for Bayliner for a time and then returned to Fey Industries where he continued working for over 25 years. He was called the “#1 women pleaser” since he was able to keep all the women happy at work. The women even gave him a shirt with that saying on it for his birthday. He retired in 2020 and spent his days on the family farm where he lived his entire life. On November 30, 2023, Buckwheat passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Buckwheat enjoyed watching concerts, game shows, and listening to music. He enjoyed playing games including pool league, darts, and chess with his friends. He also liked to spend time with his friends and family going to the bar, and talking on the phone, particularly to his sister and niece, Lindsey. He was a man of few words but he was well known by everyone. He enjoyed country drives with his friends, booze cruising. Not many people knew his real name was David because everyone called him by his childhood nickname “Buckwheat.”  He was always sure to have his lawn cut short to the point people would joke that his yard looked like a golf course. He will be deeply missed by many friends and family.

Buckwheat is survived by his siblings, Curtis (DeAnn) Arp of Jasper, Minnesota, Michael Arp of Hardwick, Minnesota, Dennis (Debra) Arp of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lorilee (Robert) Hellwinckel of Pipestone, Minnesota; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Lois Arp; and brothers, Daniel Arp and Dean Arp.