Arlie Fred Gades

Arlie Gades, age 92 of Benson, formerly of rural Holloway, passed away August 18, 2020, in his home.  Visitation will be held 1-2 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the Appleton City Cemetery.  Pastor Donald Klatt will officiate.  Please bring your own lawn chair.  Social distancing guidelines will be maintained.

Arlie Fred Gades was born May 16, 1928, on the family farm in Tara Township near Danvers, Minnesota, to parents Robert and Helen (Senholz) Gades. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairfield Township. Arlie was also confirmed there by the Rev. E.T. Meichsner along with his cousins, Norlen Gades and Ada Mae Marquart. He said after his confirmation he and the cousins went to see his Grandma Gades so she could shake their hands and present them with a bag of candy.

Arlie graduated from Holloway High School in 1946. He was active in sports, journalism, and various other activities in high school, but especially enjoyed playing baseball. Arlie was the pitcher for the Holloway team when they won the Yellow Bank Conference Championship during his senior year of high school…he loved talking about that season/game.

On August 24, 1951, he married Evie Hagerud, and to this union 4 daughters were born, Kay, Kris, Clair, and Karen. They farmed north of Danvers for 12 years before moving to the farm northeast of Holloway. Evie died in April, 1976. On December 26, 1977, he was married to Mae Jobgen. They continued to farm until 1989, and had an auction in March, 1990. In retirement he enjoyed spending time working on and adding to his antique tractor collection. One of the highlights was when one of his tractors was purchased by a gentleman from Holland, who then had it shipped overseas. He was a founding member of the Putts ‘n Purrs tractor club and Appleton Western Prairie Farm Collectors club and enjoyed participating in all the events. In retirement he and Mae spent a few months at Circle T Park in Mission, Texas each year, where they made many wonderful friends. Arlie enjoyed the time away, but he was always anxious to get back to see what the farmers were doing in the spring, and get his sweet corn planted, which he generously shared with all. While in Texas he took up wood carving, and many have been recipients of his carvings. Arlie especially enjoyed hunting throughout the years, and was a happy guy when he was able to get a deer when he was 90! With help from his son-in-law, Steve, he was able to get out to the stand when he was 91, but didn’t get a chance to shoot. He was instrumental in turning Steve into a deer hunter, and was always very glad for his success!

In July, 2009, he auctioned off most of his antique tractor and equipment collection via an online auction. Then in June of 2014 made the decision to move to Benson, so sold the farm site in Holloway. It was a sad day for him, but he soon made new friends in the new neighborhood on Ada Avenue. He was a very social guy and enjoyed gathering with the neighbors in the warm weather for happy hour and visiting (BS)!

Arlie was active in his community throughout his life. He served in various capacities at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Danvers, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Holloway; served as a Marysland Township Supervisor for 27 years, was on the board of the Danvers Elevator and Swift County Historical Society, participated in Adopt-a-Highway, and other community programs. He always enjoyed a good card game and a good debate…just ask his buddies in the Holloway Café.

On May 28, 2020, in the midst of the quarantines caused by the coronavirus, he moved to assisted living until July 6, when he returned to his home, where he received Hospice care. Special thanks to his nurses/step daughters Julie Palm and Charlotte Sayre and many others who have helped care for Arlie during his last days at home.

Arlie died August 18, 2020, at home, surrounded by family. He reached the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 2 days. Arlie is survived by his wife, Mae Gades; daughters: Kay Seliga, Kris (Steve) Hallis, Clair Gades, and Karen Gades; grandchildren Jason Goulet, Kara Goulet, Erin Hallis, great grand-children Myah & McKinley Goulet; step-children: Charlotte (Jim) Sayre, Chuck Jobgen, Ron Giese, Marilyn (Don) Larsen, Denny (Amy) Jobgen, Julie (Dewy) Palm, and Mike (Brenda) Jobgen; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sister, Zelda (Carleton) Zahn; nieces & nephews: Jim, Liz, Kim, Heidi, Steve, and Nancy along with their spouses and children; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen (Senholz) Gades; his first wife, Evie (Hagerud) Gades; brothers and sisters-in-law Roger Gades, Robert and Joyce Gades; Richard and Marie Gades; son-in-law, John Seliga; grandsons: Jed Goulet and Timothy Seliga; niece, Terri Gades; step-daughter, Cindy Giese; step-granddaughter, Alicia Jobgen; step-great-grandchildren Devon Sayre, Stacey Hammerschmidt, and Joe Burns.

Rest in peace, Dad. You will be missed, but we are oh, so glad to have known you.