Arnold Harris Edlund died on Friday, January 14th, 2011, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, MN. He was born at the home of his parents, Albert and Helga (Mehle) Edlund on June 20th, 1927. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. Arne attended Oak View country school and graduated from Fertile High School in 1945. He was drafted into the US Army Signal Corp, serving 22 months until his honorable discharge in August 1947. He returned to Fertile to work the family farm and raise dairy cattle. During this time, he spent two winters in California where he would meet his future wife, Arlene Hawley. They were married on October 22nd, 1954. Settling back on the farm south of Fertile, they raised their five children.
After 1977, when Arne sold his dairy herd, he worked winters at Dahlgren's and American Crystal Sugar in Crookston, while continuing to farm. In 1992, he rented out his farm and helped his son, Don, with the sugar beet harvest. He also was a seasonal employee for Wild Rice Electric as a rural meter reader.
Arne enjoyed hunting and fishing in his earlier years, and later developed a real flare for gardening, growing flowers, and baking. He loved watching and caring for animals of all kinds. It was common to see a favorite cat in his lap. He kept watch on the farm crops and the weather and loved driving around the countryside to see the progress of the seasons and the wonders of nature. His heart was in the soil of his land, and it was difficult for him to leave that behind when he moved into the nursing home in November of 2010. Family and rural life were his true passions and the values of caring for the land and people, being honest and hard working, were lessons passed along to others by his daily living. A man of enduring patience and kindness, he always took an interest in others, ready to help without hesitation. Through the years, he taught and lived a Christian life of humility, gratitude, and abiding love for God's creation. His many grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of deep pride and happiness for him. His gentle ways, twinkling eyes, and warm smile leave an endearing presence on all those who knew him. Blessed be his memory.
Arne is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arlene; daughters Sue (Lowell) Ostenson of McIntosh; Sharon (Steve) Josephson, Fertile; Sandy (Dean) Rasmussen, Fertile; Donovan (Dawn) Edlund of Crookston. Fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Kris Edlund, Angie Edlund, Ryan Edlund (Calissa and Adler), Eric Ostenson, Scott (Erin) Ostenson (Mikkel), Kelsi Ostenson, Danielle Edlund (Madilyn), Beth Rasmussen, Joe Rasmussen, Katie Edlund, Isaac Edlund, Hannah Edlund, Josh Edlund, and Luke Edlund; two sisters survive; Lucille Johnson, Crookston; and Annette (Ogden) Farder of Erskine, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Surviving in-laws include: Priscilla Rouse, Stigler, OK; James and Lois Hawley, Brush, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Rick, in 2003; two brothers-in-law: H.R. Rouse and Walter Johnson.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 21, 2011, at 2:30 PM in the Resurrection Free Lutheran Church, Beltrami, MN.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 20, 2011, from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service at 7 PM at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

Burial will be in the spring at the South Side Cemetery, rural Fertile.

Pastor Dale Finstrom, Officiating

Susan Neufeld, Pianist

Congregational Hymns
"Count Your Blessings"
"When We All Get To Heaven"

Wendy Hasler, Soloist
"Jesus Loves Me Medley"
"Give Me Jesus"

Arne's Grandchildren
"Children Of The Heavenly Father"

Honorary Pallbearers
All Arne's Grandchildren

Military Rites
Fertile American Legion Post #237
Dean Rasmussen, Taps