1916
Merton
2011
Merton Arnold
April 17, 1916 — May 11, 2011
The Funeral Service for Merton G. Arnold of New Richland, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 13, 2011 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, New Richland.
The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church. Merton died on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the New Richland Care Center. He was 95. He was born on April 17, 1916, in Garden City, Minnesota the son of
Noah and Permilla (Griffith) Arnold. The family moved to Freeborn, and Merton graduated from Freeborn High
School with the class of 1936. He married Ethel Johnston in 1937, the had three children, Gary, Rodney and Linda. They were later divorced. He married Earline Hawkins, she preceded him in death.
Merton had farmed north of Freeborn, Minnesota until 1966. He drove school bus for New Richland for more than 20 years and also served as a janitor at the school. Merton had drove pea and sweet corn truck for Bird's Eye and worked for the Owatonna Canning Factory for several years before retiring. In his retirement, he worked part-time as a janitor for Josten's. He enjoyed horseback riding, bowling, and Senior Citizens Softball League where he served as pitcher. Merton loved to dance to old time music and play his harmonica. He was an avid motorcycle rider, riding well into his "80's. He is survived by daughter Linda Besser and son Rodney (Lois) Arnold,
of New Richland; grandchildren: Jimmie Arnold of Grand Meadow, MN, John (Ginger)Arnold of West Concord, MN, Robert Arnold and special friend Jessica of Geneva, Christopher Besser of New Richland, Curtis Besser of Freeborn and Tracie Rosacker of Matawan; 16 great grandchildren; former wife Ethel Arnold of New Richland; stepchildren and step grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gary, son-in-law Kenny Besser, his wife Earline, and siblings Wendell, Lee, Merrille, Goldie, Myrna and Thelma. Merton enjoyed life to the fullest-Blessed be his memory!
The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland, and one hour before the service at the church. Merton died on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the New Richland Care Center. He was 95. He was born on April 17, 1916, in Garden City, Minnesota the son of
Noah and Permilla (Griffith) Arnold. The family moved to Freeborn, and Merton graduated from Freeborn High
School with the class of 1936. He married Ethel Johnston in 1937, the had three children, Gary, Rodney and Linda. They were later divorced. He married Earline Hawkins, she preceded him in death.
Merton had farmed north of Freeborn, Minnesota until 1966. He drove school bus for New Richland for more than 20 years and also served as a janitor at the school. Merton had drove pea and sweet corn truck for Bird's Eye and worked for the Owatonna Canning Factory for several years before retiring. In his retirement, he worked part-time as a janitor for Josten's. He enjoyed horseback riding, bowling, and Senior Citizens Softball League where he served as pitcher. Merton loved to dance to old time music and play his harmonica. He was an avid motorcycle rider, riding well into his "80's. He is survived by daughter Linda Besser and son Rodney (Lois) Arnold,
of New Richland; grandchildren: Jimmie Arnold of Grand Meadow, MN, John (Ginger)Arnold of West Concord, MN, Robert Arnold and special friend Jessica of Geneva, Christopher Besser of New Richland, Curtis Besser of Freeborn and Tracie Rosacker of Matawan; 16 great grandchildren; former wife Ethel Arnold of New Richland; stepchildren and step grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Gary, son-in-law Kenny Besser, his wife Earline, and siblings Wendell, Lee, Merrille, Goldie, Myrna and Thelma. Merton enjoyed life to the fullest-Blessed be his memory!
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