Arthur Arntz, 88, of Goodridge, died at his home on Sunday, July 2, 2006.


Funeral service will be 11 AM, Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will be at Star Cemetery, Star Township, Pennington County, MN.

Visitation will be 10 AM, Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at the church until the start of service.

Arthur Oliver Arntz was born November 3, 1917 at Reiner Township, Pennington County, MN, the son of Albert and Olive (Ellefson) Arntz. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended country school in Reiner Township.

Arthur served his country in the United States Army during World War ll. He entered the service September 28, 1941 and received his honorable discharge December 9, 1945, where he attained the rank of Private 1st Class and earned a European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Ribbon. During his tour of duty, Arthur served in North Africa and Italy.

He farmed the family farm in Reiner Township and also worked for area farmers. He raised cattle, milk cows and beef cattle. His love was the farm.

Following his brother Wallaces death in June 1973, James and Lois Smith asked Arthur to move in with the Smith family, where he lived until the time of his death. He always appreciated and enjoyed the time with the Smith family.

Arthur was a member of the Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Posts. He enjoyed listening to the radio, especially the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed animals, dogs and cats and talking on the telephone.

He is survived by his special friend and caregiver, Rosemary Smith, Goodridge, MN, Jimmy (Linda) Smith, Goodridge, MN and MaryLou French, St. Paul, MN; special friends, Evelyn (Ron) Waling, Grygla, MN, Heather Ruseng and children, Steven, Olivia and Kieran, all of Thief River Falls, MN and other friends and neighbors.

Arthur was preceded in death by parents; sisters, Sylvia Arntz at age 15 and Elga Arntz in infancy; brother, Sam Wallace Arntz; friends, James and Lois Smith and Anthony Smith.