Please click on the video tribute below to view Penny's memorial service with burial.

Vivian G. "Penny" Aarestad, 99, formerly of Halstad, MN, died Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 at home at Fountain of the Sun 55+ Community in Mesa, Arizona.  She passed peacefully from heart disease under the care of Hospice at Home of Arizona and her daughter Barbara.

Vivian was born March 11, 1922 in Bagley, MN to Frank L. and Ida (Hendrickson) Lhotka.  She was the third of eight children. After grade school in Bagley, the family moved to Mahnomen, MN where Vivian dove into high school life - playing basketball and tennis, punching lunch tickets every day, and picking up the nickname "Penny" from her friends.  Vivian graduated from high school in 1940.

That summer she took a risk that would change her life, moving to Halstad, MN to begin waitressing at the town cafe.  She soon met a young farmer named Bennitt Aarestad. They were smitten from the start, and Bennitt even scored a kiss on the first date!  After a year-long courtship of trips to Fargo, dinners, movies, and parking by the old Henderson Schoolhouse, "Bennie & Penny" were wed on December 11, 1941, days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Returning from a road trip honeymoon, the couple set to work building their farm and their family.  The operation ultimately became Aarestad Farm Products and Red River State Bank, growing a legacy for their children and grandchildren of hard work, dedication to agriculture and innovation, and service to your community.  Vivian & Bennitt's marriage was blessed by three children:  Larry, Barbara, and Randy. The family settled on a farm north of Halstad where their grandson Charles now lives.  The family spent summers in Detroit Lakes, MN.

While Bennie kept busy with his projects, Penny was occupied being a mom, supporting her husband, and making a neat and tidy home.  Penny volunteered at the Halstad school, with Boy Scouts, and other kids' activities in the community.  She led Luther League and Tuesday and Sunday School and was a longtime officer of American Lutheran Church Women.  Penny enjoyed attending auctions and rummage sales, refinishing furniture, interior design, painting, ceramics, sewing, quilting, embroidery, and baking cookies for her grandkids.  Competitive, she never missed a chance to host canasta, dominoes, and "Dime Me" parties.   She delighted in sharing her skills and teaching others the games, crafts, and arts she loved.

In 1973, Bennie and Penny began wintering in Arizona; settling in Parcel 11 of Fountain of the Sun 55+ Community in Mesa, AZ.  Penny made Arizona her home after Bennie's death in 1991.  In Mesa, she relished her volunteer work at Banner Health, Victory Lutheran, Lutheran Desert Thrift Shop, Church of Grace, and the Fountain of the Sun and Parcel 11 boards.

Not many women survive breast cancer, heart surgery, and a global pandemic to live to be serenaded by their neighbors on their 99th birthday with Willie Nelson songs.  She will be missed.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Bennitt L. Aarestad; her parents; and siblings Russell Lhotka, Myron Lhotka, Kenneth Lhotka, Bernice Dandridge, Violet Bjerke, and Cleona Wang.

Vivian is survived by her sister, Yvonne Underlee (Les), Delhart, TX;  son Larry Aarestad (Becky), Ogema, MN; son Randy Aarestad (Sandi), Halstad, MN; daughter, Barbara Aarestad (David Moewes), Mesa, AZ; twelve grandchildren & step-grandchildren - Mandy Kubik (Matthew Schultz), Mimi McGeorge, Nikki Grossman (Clayton), Cristina Aakre (Jake), Danielle Harless (Paul), Alexandra Bare (Michael), Charles Aarestad (Brianna), Sean Moewes, Kimberly Moewes (Brian Boone), Chris Moewes-Bystrom (Angela Langeberg), Anne-Mayre Hastad Hoban (Jason), Adrienne Linberg (Kurt); 25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to organizations of choice or to support the love and hard work of the Halstad Living Center Auxiliary, 133 4th Ave E, Halstad, MN, 56548; 218-456-2105; www.halstadlivingcenter.com

Remembrances may be shared online at: https://www.eriksonvikfh.com or mailed to Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes at PO Box 126, Ada, MN, 56510.

A service of remembrance is planned for 10:30 AM, on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Augustana Lutheran Cemetery, 1319 270th Ave, in Halstad, MN, 56548. Pastor Ryan Aarestad will officiate.