Arnold Auel, 85

Arnold Jerome Auel, 85, died March 9, 2010.

Arnold was born January 11, 1925 in Leaf River Township, Wadena County to George and Gladys (Lawson) Auel. Arnold’s baptism was at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. In June of 1938, he was confirmed Catholic as Arnold Jerome William Auel. Arnold was raised and schooled in the Wadena area. Following his schooling he worked alongside his father on farms in Minnesota and North Dakota to help support the family.

In 1943 Arnold was drafted into the U.S. Navy. During World War II, he served aboard the USS Sylvania AKA-44, a cargo vessel and troop carrier serving the South Pacific. Following his discharge after the war, Arnold returned to Minnesota.

On November 1, 1947 he was united in marriage to Lois Jordan at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hancock. On November 3, 1948, Arnold was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Morris. The couple made their home in the Morris area where they farmed at Hancock, Cyrus and Alberta. Arnold started farming by helping his father-in-law, Ross Jordan. He also worked with his uncles Seth, Russell and Royal Lawson. Arnold completed an ag school education at Morris. The couple was blessed with three children, Patricia, Donald and Robert.

In 1961 the family moved to Brandon, where they bought a farm. In 1970 Arnold began working for Midland Co-op. He also did sales at Newhouse Machinery. In 1975 Arnold began his own business, Arnie’s Dairy. He also built a new home north of Brandon. Arnold never retired. He continued operating his business until recently when he liquidated his inventory due to health concerns. Whenever Arnold was able to, he continued to provide service and know-how to his customers. Arnold’s work was his hobby. He loved what he did. Arnold was a kind-hearted man who was always willing to help others.

Arnold also enjoyed card games; his favorites were whist, pinochle and cribbage. He especially enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to play. He loved to meet his friends for coffee and shake dice. In his younger years he served as a 4-H leader. Later he continued to support 4-H by providing dairy equipment for the milking parlor at the Douglas County Fair. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a charter member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Morris and served several terms of office for the church council.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Auel; and two brothers-in-law, George Ley and Joe Sauer.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Lois Auel of Alexandria; daughter, Patricia Knudsen and husband, Donald, of Omaha, NE; two sons, Donald Auel and wife, Karen, of Elk River, and Robert Auel and wife, Dianne, of Alexandria; grandchildren, Todd (Julie) Knudsen, Michael (Stephanie) Knudsen, Shawn (Christina) Knudsen, John (Sarah) Auel, Ryan Auel, Jeff (Heidi) Auel, Tamara Auel, Jason (Angela) Auel and Rebecca (Eric) Wymore; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bernietta Ley of Dodgeville, WI, Genevieve Sauer of Sheldon, IA, MaryAnn Butzin and husband, Carl, of Sebeka, and Janice Hofer and husband, Ed, of Marana, AZ; brothers, Leonard Auel and wife, Rosalie, of Gilbert, and Lee Auel and wife, Ellie, of Pillager; sister-in-law, Naomi Auel of Hibbing; aunts, Violet DeRung of Chisago and Ida Lawson of Morris; uncle, Royal Lawson of Hoffman; many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, March13 at 2 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morris with the Rev. Elton Hallauer officiating. Interment will follow at Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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