Merle A. Arndtson, age 91, of Hastings, Minn, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Hastings Senior Health and Living.
Born on Sept. 22, 1933, the son of Ove and Josie (Kragtorp) Arndtson in Bingham Lake, MN. He grew up in southwestern Minnesota farming with his parents and 3 brothers. After graduating high school in Lamberton, Minn in 1951 and spending 2 years in the Army he met Eloise Halverson, fell in love, married her and began their life together to raise 7 children. They settled in Hastings and have lived there for 55 years.
What can you say about a man who has done so many things and touched so many lives? His life was like confetti, fun, messy and spread everywhere! He was skilled in many things and held positions/jobs in multiple places. He retired from 16 years of employment at 3M in 1999 then traveled in their RV to work at National bowling tournaments across the country. If he could drive it, he would travel it!
Merle developed an interest in bowling so much so that he wanted everyone to have the opportunity to love this sport, so he poured his heart and soul into building a bowling center on the north side of Hastings known as “Arnies Showboat Lanes”. His children and several grandchildren have caught his passion and continue this on to this day. And boy did he love to coach others or even just talk about bowling. He would be proud to share that he achieved the perfect score of bowling not once or twice but FOUR times!!
He also had another great love and that was baseball. A Minnesota Twins fan thru and thru. He enjoyed the many years of playing softball on the church league.
This man loved to chat and share his life stories with just about anyone who would listen. He loved people, he loved life. He was the most generous person and wanted to help anyone in any way that he could, even if that meant giving his shirt off his own back. If you knew him, you loved him because he treated everyone like family. Anyone was welcome at his table.
Merle is survived by his wife, Eloise of 67 years, 7 children, Randy (Lynn), Bruce (Brenda), Cheryl (Jeff) Conklin, Kent (Gary), Scot (Kim), Wendy (Jeff) Human, Kari (Richard) Seaman, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Proceeded in death by his parents and 3 brothers.
He will be missed more that words can express.
A Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at St. Phillip’s Lutheran Church, Hastings. Pastor Gregory Geier officiated. Visitation took place from 4- 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 30, at St. Phillip’s, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.
A luncheon followed the service at church. Burial followed at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings, MN, with full military honors.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials to Disabled Vets, Hastings Family Service or towards a memorial bench are preferred in his memory.
Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
