Arnold Atchison, 89, of Benson died on Friday at Golden Living Meadow Lane in Benson. His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, 2:00 PM, at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson with Pastor William Warnock officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery. Arnold Samuel Paul Atchison was born September 10, 1925 at Hancock in Stevens County, the seventh child of Samuel and Mary (Wayne) Atchison. He was baptized December 7, 1930 by Pastor K. Palmer and was confirmed October 24, 1943 by Pastor Palmer at West Zion Evangelical Church. He attended school in Pope County through the eighth grade. Arnold served in the Air Force from March 1943 to May 1946. He trained at Sheppard Field, Texas and after that served in India for twenty-five months. He served in the Pacific Theater Operations with the 3333rd Airborne Squadron as a sergeant. He worked in the heavy equipment road construction field after the war and worked with Hodgeman & Sons Construction Company. He helped with building, I-694, I-94, and I-494 in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He also worked in farming and as a businessman managing a Sinclair station and owning his own feed store. He last worked for the City of Benson. Arnold was a member of the VFW Post 1403 becoming a life member in 1946. He served as Post Commander and 5th District Commander. At the VFW he cooked many fish fries and the free Thanksgiving meals every year. Arnold enjoyed hunting and fishing for several years. Arnold married Ellen (Wilson) Halvorson on November 7, 1947. Ellen died March 17, 1978. Arnold was then married to Betty (Pettit) Alsaker on August 8, 1980. He was a member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson. Arnold died on Friday evening, January 9, at Golden Living Meadow Lane Care Center. He had attained 89 years, 3 months, and 29 days of age. He is survived by three step-children: Brenda Mikres of White Bear Lake, Bruce Alsaker of White Bear Lake and Gary (Nancy) Alsaker of Benson; six step-grandchildren: Clint Mikres, Blake Mikres, Eric Alsaker, Jamie Alsaker, Amy Alsaker and Brady Alsaker; eight step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Gladys Wildeboer of Benson and Alice Loen of Starbuck; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; wives Ellen and Betty; four sisters and brothers-in-law: June (Oliver) Olson, Grace (Irvin "Corky") Hilden, Jessie (Loren) Todd, and Marion (Lowell) Todd, Francis Clark and brother-in-law Dan Wildeboer; two brothers: Charles (Leo) Atchison and his wife Dorothy and Raymond Atchison.
