Arnold Stanley, 76, died at his home near Grygla, MN on Thursday, January 29, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, February 2, 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Pastor Mary Ronning Gilthvedt officiating.

Visitation will be held from 2 P.M. until 4 P.M. on Sunday, February 1, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a prayer service at 3 P.M. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Arnold Stanley was born on July 28, 1932 to William and Mabel (Norby) Stanley in Grygla, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith and attended country school through the 8th grade. He attended Goodridge High School. Arnold worked for the telephone company as well as REA setting up lines. He worked briefly in the oil fields in Wyoming and the lumber mills in Montana. His predominant profession was farming which he enjoyed until his last days. In 1950 Arnold enlisted in the US Air Force and served his country honorably until 1953. On December 14, 1954 Arnold was united in marriage to Ida Smith. Together they made their home near Grygla.

Arnold found pleasure in driving around looking at crops and developing farmland to make it more productive. He was a member of the school board, the Coop Store Shipping Association, Red Lake Watershed, American Legion, VFW, and was instrumental in founding the American State Bank of Grygla.

Arnold is survived by his wife Ida; children, Todd (Debra) Stanley of Grygla, MN, Gwen Stanley of Bloomington, MN, Brian (Bonnie) Stanley of Grygla, MN, Trent (Marilyn) Stanley of Goodridge, MN, and Alison (Elgin) Caldwell of New Brighton, MN; 12 grandchildren, Bill, Kathryn, Tylor, Anthony, Mitch, Justin, and Brandon Stanley, Lindsay Loerzel, Aaliyah, Myesha, Gabriele, and Nigel Caldwell; 5 great-grandchildren, Plato Northup, Ahna and Blake Stanley, Ryelin Dahl and Casen Jewell; and sister Donna (Gordon) Jelle.

He is preceded in death by his parents and son Jeffrey.

ORGANIST:Joy Norby
SOLOIST: Marie Konickson
SELECTIONS: Softly and Tenderly When Peace Like a River
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Jesus Loves Me How Great Thou Art
CASKETBEARERS:Bill Stanley, Kathryn Stanley, Tylor Stanley, Anthony Stanley, Lindsay Loerzel, Mitch Stanley, Justin Stanley, and Brandon Stanley
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Willie Smith, Roger Smith, Leonard Moe, Eddie Moe, Wesley Sandsmark, and Roger Skime