George Joseph Arel, Sr.

George's funeral service may be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/868101977

George Joseph Arel Sr., 76 of Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15th, 2023, at Sanford on Broadway.

George was born on March 9th, 1947, the son of Louis and Violet (Kehoe) Arel. He grew up in Ada, MN, until he joined the Army at the age of 17. While in the Army, he traveled all over the US and Europe. He drove and fixed many different army vehicles. He was also a sharpshooter with a rifle in the Army.

George married Sharon LaFrance on November 8th, 1969, in Ada, MN. Then, in the 1970s, they made Fargo their home. They celebrated 53 years of marriage together and had six children.

George worked several jobs over the years, from Boeing, Silverline, Corwin, NDSU, City of Fargo - Fargo Parking, and other smaller jobs in between.

George loved to collect many different things, from Trains to Legos to Hot Wheels and everything in between. He loved taking family trips from California to South Dakota. He loved to go to the different casinos and play the slot machines and also play bingo every now and then. He really loved it when family would come over to hang out, visit, have cookouts, and talk. He liked to fix up and work on friends and family vehicles. He loved the smaller things in life and never held a grudge. He had a very special place in his heart for the late-night talks having milk and cookies with John.

George is survived by his wife, Sharon of Fargo; six children, Tina Schultz, George Jr. (Senneta) Kevin, Cathy (Steve) Brown, John, and Valerie (Tommy), all of Fargo; thirteen grandchildren, Shania, William, George III, Roland, Michael, Akira, Adam, Dawson, Dylan, Ethan, Ava, Alex, and Lana, all of Fargo; brother, Kenny (Arlene) Arel, Ada, MN; sisters, Eva (Richard) Wressell, Grand Rapids, MI, Eileen Arel, Fargo, ND, Dorothy (Arthur) Morris, Argusville, ND; and Barbara Arel, Shakopee, MN.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Violet Arel; siblings, Helen (Orville) Kappes, James Arel, Ann (Robert) Swenson, Mary (Eugene) Dressler, Michael (Cheryl) Arel, Rose-Mary Arel, and Lucille Lu-Lu Arel.