Vernon Alfred Arnold

Vernon Arnold, age 87, of Holloway, died Saturday, September 1st at the VA Healthcare System in St. Cloud.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 –7:00p.m., Friday, September 7th at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton.  Visitation will resume from 9:30-10:30a.m., followed by the funeral at 10:30a.m., Saturday, September 8th at the church.  Pastor Roger Fears will officiate.  Burial will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Moyer Township.

Vernon Alfred Arnold was born December 4, 1930, at the family farm in Moyer Township, Swift County, to parents Harry Alfred and Olga Bertha (Suckow) Arnold. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Moyer Township. He attended country school at Swift County District 97 in Moyer Township through eighth grade, when his help was needed at the family farm. He was a CPL in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged November 22, 1954.

On June 30, 1956, Vernon was united in marriage to Joan Mabel Munsterman at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Moyer Township. They shared 56 years of marriage. To this union five sons were born. Together Vernon and Joan farmed their entire life. They started a successful farming operation in which all three sons were involved.

Vernon was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served many offices, was a member of the Farmers Union, a founding member of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, a member of the Holloway Rod and Gun Club, the Holloway Development Corporation, and was very active in the Western Prairie Farm Collectors. Vernon earned his Private Pilot’s license in 1992, at the age of 62. Another proud accomplishment for Vernon was attaining his GED in 2008 at the age of 77.

Vernon also had a love for horses. He enjoyed giving rides in his covered wagon, and pulled a carriage in the Appleton Parade of Lights. He acquired a team of Belgian horses to celebrate his heritage and share it with the younger generation. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending many of their various activities. Vernon and Joan enjoyed traveling, spending time at their lake cabin, and winters in Arizona. They made several snowmobiling trips to the north woods of Minnesota with their family and Vernon’s siblings and their families and made many lasting memories.

Vernon died Saturday, September 1, 2018, at the VA Healthcare System in St. Cloud. He had reached the age of 87 years, 8 months, and 27 days.  Vernon is survived by his boys: Daniel (Lynette) Arnold of Holloway, Thomas (Kathryn) Arnold of Appleton, and Mark (Shelly) Arnold of Holloway; nine grandchildren: Jacob (Laura)  Munsterman, Joseph Arnold, Jennifer Arnold, Joshua Arnold, Matthew Arnold (fiancée Amy Berlinger), Mallory Arnold,  Amber (Jarod) Tuff, Amanda (Brandon) Klein, and Alyssa (Tronn) Tosel; nine great-grandchildren: Adalynn Munsterman, Avery Tuff, twins, Ainsley and Jackson Tuff, Kennedy and Kora Klein, Kadence, Hilary and Emersyn Tosel; one brother Willard (Doris) Arnold of Appleton; two sisters: Arlene Beyer of Benson and Yvonne Ward of Montevideo; brother-in-law Jerry Halvorson of Appleton; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan; infant twin sons, James and John; brothers: Leland Arnold, Milton Arnold, in infancy; sisters: Ruby Halvorson and Shirley (Archie) Tallman; brothers-in-law: Marvin Beyer and Leonard Ward.  Blessed be the memory of Vernon Arnold.