Paul Arneson

Monday, April 20, 2020 2:11 pm

Paul Arneson, 96 (one week shy of 97), of Decorah, died Thursday morning, April 16, 2020, at home outside of Decorah. A private graveside service was Monday, April 20, at the Big Canoe Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Kurt Bockoven. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Big Canoe Lutheran Church at 1381 Big Canoe Road in Decorah, IA 52101. Or sent to Bernice at 1279 Sattre Ridge Rd. Decorah, IA 52101

Paul Kenneth Arneson was born to Martin and Nora (Grindeland) Arneson April 23, 1923, on his parent’s farm in Ryder, N.D. He was baptized in Ryder, N.D. and confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church June 27, 1937, where he was a life-long member. Paul attended the Sattre Country School No. 8 and graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1942.

After he graduated, he worked at the Highlandville General Store for a while and then spent a fall season in North Dakota as a hired help during thrashing time. He enjoyed the work but didn’t enjoy sleeping in the very cold barns at night.
Paul served in the Army from May 25, 1944 to April 21, 1946. He was a member of Company A 325th Glider Infantry 82nd Airborne Division. He received a Rifle Marksmanship award and Glider badge. He also received the World War II Victory medal, American Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct medal, Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star and the European African 1 Overseas bar. His rank at time of discharge was Private First Class.At the end of World War II, Paul marched in the ticker tape parade in New York City and another parade in Washington, D.C. Paul also was able to participate in the Freedom Honor Flight Sept. 22, 2012. He enjoyed flying to Washington, D.C. and seeing all the memorials; but his favorite part about the trip was the flight out and back. He loved flying and was so tickled that he was able to fly again.

Paul was united in marriage to Bernice Berge May 16, 1951, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. To this union four children were born: Lois, Nancy, Thomas and Diane. After Paul and Bernice got married, they raised their children and made their living as dairy farmers on the family farm until they retired.

Paul grew up on the family farm near Sattre. He loved being on the farm and working in the fields. Paul and his brothers enjoyed spending a lot of time together; there are quite a few stories about their mischievous adventures. Paul especially loved horses. He enjoyed riding them, going on trail rides and driving them in the fields. He also had several dogs over the years, all of which were spoiled very well. He had a soft spot for all his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved to tease them and make them laugh.

Paul is survived by his wife, Bernice; three daughters: Lois (Larry) Martin, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Nancy Jensen, Urbandale; and Diane (Michael) Paradise, Rochester, Minn.; one son, Thomas Arneson, Decorah; 10 grandchildren: Amanda (Hallie) Williams, Minneapolis, Minn.; Nora (Nick) Wagner, Phoenix, Ariz.; Abigail (Tony) Betts, Phoenix, Ariz.; Brian Jensen (Britta Larson), Portland, Ore.; Aaron Jensen (Christina Perez), Atlanta, Ga.; Kirsten Arneson, Denver, Colo.; Courtney Paradise, Byron, Minn.; Kaitlin Paradise, Rochester, Minn.; Karlee Paradise (Chris Solis), Rochester, Minn.; and Shawn Paradise, Rochester, Minn.; five great-grandchildren: Hallie Williams III, Neva Wagner, Charlotte Betts, Addelyn Betts and Kane Blommer; brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Shirley Arneson, Decorah; sisters-in-law, Margaret Arneson, Decorah and Loucille Jacobson, Loveland, Colo.; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Jerome Kroshus; brothers, Norman Arneson and Stanley Arneson; great-granddaughter, Penny Betts; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Omer and Shirley Forde; sister-in-law, Irene Gulrud; brother-in-law, Norman Jacobson; and niece, Martha Graves.