Gary Wendell Arneson

Gary Wendell Arneson, 82, Fargo, ND died April 25, 2015 at Essentia Health.

Gary was born October 21, 1932 at Devils Lake Mercy Hospital, to Margrete and Harry Arneson of Doyon, ND. Gary was raised, attended school and graduated in 1950 at Doyon, ND. His mother was one of the teachers at the school. Gary began his advanced education at Dakota Business College where he met his first wife, Vivian Handegard. They married at the Lake Park Lutheran Church on August 8, 1952.

Gary joined the U.S. Army and served as Sergeant in the 106th Finance Division out of Fr. Carson Colorado. He was stationed 10 miles south of the 38th parallel, the battle line of the Korean War. He was discharged to Fargo after the birth of their first child, Darla Anne in 1953. He returned to college at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU). He transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where Ronald Wayne was born in 1956. They moved back to NDSU where he graduated in 1961. Gary worked part time throughout his college years.

Gary’s first job after college was in Owatonna, MN, where he worked for Federated Insurance. Soon after their arrival there David John was born in 1961. Gary and Vivian became passionate about gardening and ensuring the family went on a two week vacation every year.

After ten years they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, where Gary took a position with the State of Minnesota as a State Bank Examiner. After being on the road for two years Gary took a cashier position at a new bank in Fargo, Union State Bank. Later he worked at banks in Hallock, MN and Devils Lake, ND. During this period Gary also achieved a Master’s Degree in Banking.

Because of Vivian’s health, Gary became her dialysis nurse for a couple years in their home in Devils Lake. She received a kidney transplant in 1984, and in 1990 Gary retired early to do some traveling with Vivian, including a trip to the motherland, Norway. They moved back to Fargo to be closer to their grandchildren.

After Vivian’s death in 1994, Gary began to attend Beginning Experiences and met Judy Leopold. In 1995, they married and made their home in Fargo. Gary took an interest in helping young business people in S.C.O.R.E. Both Gary and Judy were involved with the Thursday Bible Study at Olivet Lutheran.

Gary is survived by Judy, Darla (Michael) Peloquin, Ronald (Barbara) Arneson, David (Julie) Arneson; grandchildren, John (Larinda), Jessie, Paul, Corey Arneson, and Tina Zolzinsky; great-grandchild, Porter Arneson; step-children, Derek (Carrie) Leopold and Darin Leopold; step-grandchildren, Nicole, Nickolas, Amy Lydia , Isaac, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by Vivian and all his cousins. He will be buried in Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, next to Vivian.