Arnold Larson, 83
Age 83, went to be with the Lord on August 27th, 2011 in Roseville, Minnesota, at Lake Ridge Care Center surrounded by family. Arnold was born in Baudette, Minnesota on December 9th, 1927 to Carl “Kelly” and Hilda Larson. He was a kind, gentle, fun-loving man. He helped everyone out with any type of work electrical, plumbing, carpentry and painting. He loved sharing his talents and could fix any and all types of motors.
Arnie started working with his dad at the age of 12, washing parts in the Arnold Ford garage. He was a hard worker on his Dad’s and Grandfather Christopher’s farms in Silver Creek. After moving to Minneapolis, he worked as a diesel and gas truck mechanic at Merchant Cartage Trucking until his retirement in 1990. Arnie continued close friendships with his former co-workers until his death. Although Arnie lived in the cities for many years he never lost his love for the Lake of the Woods area. He moved back to Baudette after his retirement and lived at Bayview Lodge, where he enjoyed fishing in the Bay and Lake of the Woods while being a handyman and friends with everyone.
Arnie lived a very full and active life. His favorite sports included deer hunting with his dad, uncles, brothers and other family members in the “Yukon” area south of Clementson. He loved to fish with family members and made them all feel safe on the big lake and Rainy River while sharing his secret walleye catching spots. Some of his best fishing trips were with his brother Gerald in San Diego, fishing with Paul and Tammy Hedtke on the Pacific Ocean and traveling in a RV with his brother Clarence and friends to Alaska for 5 weeks. He loved riding his snowmobile with his friend John Larson in the Black Hills, Yellowstone Park and the North Shore until two years ago when his heart failure prevented him from riding long distances.
He traveled to Europe to visit his daughter Sherri and family in Germany. He enjoyed traveling all over the USA and many parts of Canada. He visited friends and family wherever he traveled. His last long trip was to see his Aunt Elsie Haugen, who is now 103, in North Carolina last year. He didn’t want to miss the party in celebration of his son-in-law Mark’s retirement and welcome reception for his grandson Cory and his wife Bee. So he drove himself down to the cities on July 28th, 2011 for the last time.
Arnie was married to Gail Blom, July 1956 in Baudette; they had a daughter, Sherri. They were married for 10 years. After moving to Minneapolis, Arnie married Dorothy Martenson, they were married for 11 years. Their children are Cheryl Adams, Conny Rime, and David Martenson.
Arnie is preceded in death by his parents, brother Clarence, sister-in-law Myrtle and brother-in-law, Donald Hadlich. He is survived by his brothers, Leonard (Joydyce), Eugene (Sandy), Gerald (Joyce), sisters, Eunice Hadlich and Jeanette (Delbert) Block. His children, Cheryl Adams, Conny (Mark) Rime, Sherri (Hal) Smart and David (Sue) Martenson., Grandchildren, Emily (John) Loeschke , Chris, Laura, Cory (Bee), Nicole Rime, Chris, Samantha, Josh Smart, Scott and Jenna Martenson, Aunt Elsie Haugen (Godmother), special cousins, Florence Haukaas, and Viola Gaumitz and special friend Dorothy Larson and all other family members.
Arnie was a very special man to all of his family including all his nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and their families. They loved the special time he took to be with them.
He will be greatly missed by all.
