Mildred L. Arneson

Mildred (Millie) Louise Norling was born October 21, 1913 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Alfred and Ann Norling. She passed away on June 5, 2013 surrounded by family at the age of 99.
Millie grew up and went to school in Devils Lake, and Grenora, North Dakota and graduated from high school in Crosby, North Dakota in 1930.

Her family moved to Fargo, North Dakota and she attended Moorhead State College, graduating in 1935 with a teaching degree. While at MSC she participated in research projects studying the Initial Error in Learning. After graduating, she taught school in Comstock, and Glyndon, Minnesota and also coached girl’s basketball.

Mille married Harry Arneson, Jr. on February 2, 1940 in Fargo and they were happily married for fifty-seven years.

They had their first daughter in January of 1941 and shortly thereafter traveled several times across the country for Harry’s U.S. Army training. In 1943 Harry was sent to Europe to fight in WWII and Millie and her daughter came back to Fargo to wait for him.

Millie and Harry had three daughters, Carolee (Chickie) Bakkemo, Denver, Colorado; Patricia (Lou Emerson) Corwin, Fargo; and Cynthia (Robert) Eddy, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. They also have seven grandchildren, Christopher (Shelley) Bakkemo; Jocelyn Bakkemo-Brookens (Paul); Andrew Bakkemo; Kathryn (Matt)Hasbargen; Benjamin (Stephanie) Corwin; Elizabeth Eddy; Emily Eddy; and two great grandchildren, Alexander Hasbargen, and Nicholas Hasbargen.

During her lifetime, Millie was an active member of her community. She belonged to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and participated in a number of groups and organizations, including Beta Chi Sorority at Moorhead State College, which has been meeting for over 70 years, and the Fine Arts Club, where Millie was a member for over 50 years, participating in the Art and History sections. She also participated in the WWII Service Wives Club, Fargo Heritage Society, Lake Agassiz Arts Council, PEO, and the Hawthorne Elementary PTA. While on the Hawthorne PTA, she was instrumental in establishing the Hot Lunch program for children. Throughout her life she gave back to her community and set a strong example for her daughters and grandchildren of how to engage with others and make a difference.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her brother, Lloyd Norling; and her grandson, Andrew Bakkemo.

Memorials can be sent to the Fargo Salvation Army and the Fargo-Moorhead Humane Society.

Mildred's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm