"I remember Arnold as a kind, gentle neighbor with a very big chicken barn. I remember going over to help empty the barn of chickens on several occasions. God bless you all.. He will be missed here and welcomed in Heaven."
In loving memory of
Arnold B. Berntson
January 17, 1920 - November 13, 2011
Arnold Bernhard Berntson was born in Heron Lake, Minnesota to Carl and Carrie (Thompson) Berntson on January 17, 1920. He was baptized and confirmed at Amo Lutheran Church where he has been a life long member. He attended Independent District 24 Country School.
In June 1945, he married Moina Madson. Five children were born to the marriage. Moina passed away in September 1987. In December 1988, he married Reva Parker Oleson.
Because of his father's long illness and subsequent death in 1936, Arnold began farming at an early age with his older brother Melvin. He truly loved the family farm life, living the ups and downs of weather, but always optimistic about tomorrow and "next year". He retired from farming in 2003. After retiring, Arnold enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives, especially those in nursing homes or homebound.
He was active at Amo Lutheran Church in choir, Lutheran Brotherhood, and served as treasurer for the church and Sunday School Department. He served on the Amo Cemetery Board and also the Storden Creamery Board. When the Storden Bowling Alley opened, he joined a bowling league, enjoying the sport for many years, sometimes on several leagues. New Years Eve became a family bowling party.
Arnold resided on the Berntson family farmsite for 89 years, becoming a resident of the Sogge Good Samaritan Center in March 2009 after suffering a stroke. On November 13, 2011, he was called home to our Heavenly Father at the age of 91 years.
He is survived by his wife, Reva of Storden; children, SueAnn (Michael) Ihrke, Prior Lake MN; Maydelle Johnson, Keller TX; David Berntson, Dresser WI; Mark (Kathleen) Berntson, Scottsdale AZ, and Julie Berntson, Glendale AZ; step-children Reid Oleson, Storden; Victoria (Gary) Zarn, Lakeville MN; and Karen (Russell) Fay, Storden; 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by his first wife, Moina, his brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Vernitta Berntson, son-in-law Adrian Johnson, and step- daughter Sandra Oleson.
Tributes
"I remember Arnold as a kind, gentle neighbor with a very big chicken barn. I remember going over to help empty the barn of chickens on several occasions. God bless you all.. He will be missed here and welcomed in Heaven."
"Oh the memories of Arnold and all of his family. Working in the hay field each summer and babysitting in my early years. His quick wit, teasing, caring about others lives, quick smile and laugh and we could go on and on. Blessed be his memory "
"Oh, the memories of Arnold and all his family. His quick wit and teasing and caring smile and laugh and we could go on and on. Blessed be his memory. "
"I met Arnold in the early 1980 s and always looked forward to his visits.Kind,gentle,calm,funny,etc.are words that fit Arnie."
"Our prayers go out to the Berntson family, may your memories of your Dad give you comfort at this time."
"Words can never express the kind of a friend Arnold was to my family. We lived next door to Arnold on the farm for 19 years,raising 3 boys and a girl. My boys knew they needed to pay for the gas they used in their 3 wheelers, it wasn't till years later that I found out how much they would give Arnold for a tank full, about 3 gallons, 25 cents. Arnold would always say,don't worry, they always pay, that was 8 cents per gallon. Arnold would call the shop and ask me to stop on my way home, he knew it was cheaper on my way home. That was a way to give him a token of return for all the Love he gave to us. I was able to barrow anything that Arnold had but it often needed to be repaired first, a good deal for both of us. Arnold knew how to raise both boys and girls,"With Love" Thanks Arnold, He was like a Father and Grandpa to us. See you in Heaven, Bill and Shari Hunter"
"The kids and I used to bump into Arnold all over Windom when we lived there. The most memorable time for me was Gordy's was having a brat cookout and the four of us ate brats at the table in the parking lot (: We will miss Arnold!"
"My Condolences to Arnold's family"