Obituary of Howard Arneson

Howard Carlson Arneson of Cambridge died at The Fountains at Hosanna! in Lakeville, Minnesota on October 13, 2014. Howard was born May 12, 1916, in East Union, MN. (Carver County) the son of Carl A. and Alice Carlson Arneson. He was baptized in the East Union Lutheran Church and attended the two-room school in East Union through the sixth grade. In 1927 the Arneson family moved to Pasadena, California. Howard attended and graduated from John Marshall Junior High School in Pasadena and graduated from Cambridge High School with the class of 1933. After high school he operated the Shell Service Station in Cambridge, worked for the Gamble Store and operated the Cities Service Gas Station. He then went to Santa Monica, California and worked as an instrument mechanic for General Aircraft Instrument Service at the Los Angeles Airport. After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the US Navy serving in Minneapolis, Chicago and Norfolk, Virginia before going to the South Pacific, Admiralty Islands and Philippines where he continued doing airplane instrument repair. In 1943 Howard married high school classmate Edith Engberg of Cambridge. They lived briefly in Minneapolis and Wadena, Minnesota, before returning to Cambridge in 1949 where they lived, worked and raised their family. Membership in Cambridge Lutheran Church was a focal point of his faith and activities. Singing in the choir was a joy for over fifty years. Serving on committees, boards and teaching young people were gratifying experiences enriching his life and faith. Participating in Bible studies and training as a Befriender gave him opportunities for growth. Until 2013 he had not missed the annual Lutefisk Dinner in November and took pride in making the white sauce for many years. Howard's great love for the game of golf began while caddying in California where he learned to play. In Cambridge regular league play was supplemented with extra rounds at the Purple Hawk and other area courses with Edith, Paul and friends. Junkets with his golfing buddies, and rounds of golf while traveling were his favorite way to spend a beautiful summer day. Golfing the Old Course at St. Andrew's in Scotland was a highlight he reminisced about often. Once situated in Cambridge Howard worked for Cambridge-Isanti School District for thirty years from which he retired. After beginning as a custodian, he rose to business manager overseeing buildings, grounds, transportation, and purchasing duties. He took pride in being a part of district consolidation in the 1950s and 60s and the building expansion programs that required. Many friendships with coworkers and even students developed over the years and lasted throughout his life. After retirement, travel consumed more of Howard and Edith's time. Thanks to Margaret, who was a long-time TWA employee, they were able to fly around the world enjoying thirteen trips to Europe, the Holy Land and Japan. Visits with Margaret's family in New York and Paul's family while they lived in Arizona were regular occurrences. Since the 1990s jaunts to Eve's cabin and now home in Wisconsin on Lake Superior were frequent getaways. Many years of vegetable and flower gardening while raising a family naturally led to his becoming a Master Gardener in retirement. He was able to improve his own techniques and pass on his experience and knowledge to others. Sharing the bounty was lots of fun. Paul, who has taken up the trowel and continues his tradition of trying new varieties and keeping a raspberry patch, consulted him often. In the last few years Howard has developed and expressed his artistic side especially through watercolor painting. Taking painting workshops unleashed and guided his talent for capturing nature scenes especially and helped him develop a fondness for producing abstract works. While he cheerfully gifted his family and friends with paintings, most of his output remained in his apartment where visitors marveled at the breadth of his subjects and styles. Exhibiting at the East Central Regional Library in Cambridge in 2011 and earning ribbons at the Dakota County Fair in 2013 and 2014 were proud accomplishments. Howard and Edith's marriage was a relationship that deepened and grew during the "empty nest" years. When Edith slipped into dementia Howard was a loving and faithful caregiver until she passed away in 2008. Their shared sixty-five years of laughter, song and prayer, as well as many activities and friendships, are a treasured inspiration to their children and grandchildren. In 1999 Howard and Edith moved from the "little red house on the Rum" to River Hills in Cambridge and subsequently to Comforts of Home in North Branch. After Edith's death Howard returned to Cambridge and resided at Riverwood until June, 2013 when he moved to be near Paul's family in Lakeville. Howard was preceded in death by his wife, parents and sister, Wanda (Lyle) Hanson. He is survived by children: Eve (Ralph) Erickson, Margaret (John) McGlade, Paul (Kathryn) Arneson; grandchildren: Charles (Katie) and Joel Erickson, Peter (Megan) and Sarah Arneson and Devin McGlade; great-granddaughters Sydney and Adrienne Erickson; niece Marie (Mike) Minick, cousins, and many friends.