Arthur Vernon Stordahl, the son of Louis and Luella Johnson Stordahl was born November 9, 1909 in Rollis Township, Gatzke Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Gatzke. He attended the rural school at Gatzke through 8th grade and then attended Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls and transferred to Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, graduating in 1927.

Art was interested in farming, but trucking was his desire and he began hauling livestock in used trucks and homemade trailers from Gatzke, Middle River and local areas to West Fargo and So. St. Paul. His trucking business grew and in 1937 he moved to Roseau Minnesota. A trucking business started in Gatzke grew to become one of the largest Common Carrier Truck Lines in Northwestern Minnesota. Art Stordahl was known for model B61 Mack Tractors and Fruehauf trailers and Chevrolet 1 ½ ton trucks. His brother Clayton Stordahl, his number one employee for 37 years, passed away October 6, 2000.

Art married Ina Olson in Roseau Minnesota December 25, 1941 and she became his secretary and accountant for the Stordahl Truck Lines Inc. for 45 years.

He is survived by his
Wife: Ina Stordahl of Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Sons: Ronald Stordahl of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Robert Stordahl and wife Sandra, of Austin, Texas,Granddaughter Kelsey (Stordahl) Kelly of Mouldon, Texas,Grandson Lee Stordahl of Seattle, Washington, Five Great granddaughters: Kaycie, Kyndahl, Karlee, Kerina and Kamryn;
daughters of Kelsey and Erin Kelly, a Stepsister Lila Ruud of Gatzke, Minnesota, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In 1950 Art and Ina moved to Thief River Falls MN and Clayton Stordahl continued managing the Roseau area business. He continued the freight interchange with Penner International of Steinbach Manitoba, until the sale of the truck lines in 1982.

During the truck line operations Art had hundreds of employees; many still live in this area and in St. Paul Minnesota.

Stordahl Truck Lines, Inc. was joined by Ronald Stordahl and Robert Stordahl as vice presidents and Ina Stordahl as Secretary-Treasurer.

Art loved outdoor activities, such as baseball, hockey, flying, boating and fishing. Ina and Art hand planted many trees and shrubs in the late 1960s as can be seen on South Highway 32 property which was the site of Stordahl Truck Lines, Inc.

Art was an accomplished accordionist, and with his wife provided many musical performances for friends at retirement homes as well as special programs in Northern Minnesota and NW Ontario where they owned a cabin near Nestor Falls Ontario.

Art and Ina were members of the Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau for 9 years, and Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls for 60 years.

Art had a special interest in his boyhood church, the United Lutheran Church of Gatzke and in the Moose River Cemetery of Gatzke, for which he provided the funds for extensive improvements of both. Art also had a great interest in the Four Seasons Center of Roseau and the Heritage Center of Thief River Falls.

Art Stordahl died the morning of January 6th, 2010 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Lois Johnson, and brother Clayton Stordahl.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM Sunday January 9th at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home, Thief River Falls.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Monday January 10th at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Pastor Ale Tulu will officiate.

Pallbearers:
Wayne Lunsetter
Howard Lunsetter
Bruce Lunsetter
Ray Vatnsdal
Jim Stordahl
Randy McMillin

Honorary Pallbearers:
Walter Lunsetter
Roy and Emma Anderson
Ardy Vatnsdal

He loved old favorite hymns and wanted Phyliss Dalager as organist.

He had selected Van Swanson as Soloist to perform Precious Lord Take My Hand and How Great Thou Art .

These hymns are selected for the congregation:

Amazing Grace
What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Burial is in Moose River Cemetery, Gatzke, Minnesota.