Earlen Arneson

Earlen Julian Arneson, age 93, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Wednesday evening, August 5, 2020 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah of cancer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial at this time. A private family burial will be at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah with Military Honors. Rev. Mike Blair will be officiating. Earlen, the son of Julian and Grace (Goettelman) Arneson, was born on November 4, 1926 in Decorah. After graduation from Decorah High School in 1945, he served in the US Army as a medic on a ship. On November 5, 1950 he was united in marriage with Alberta “Bert” Finck at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA. Earlen was a mechanic and a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed camping and traveling with his family. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids. He was known for making them the best pancakes as well as always challenging them in a game of cards. He enjoyed socializing and visiting with all of his friends in Decorah. He will truly be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Alberta “Bert” (September 3, 2005), son Steve (March 26, 2019), son-in-law Jeff Ellingson, (February 5, 2008), sisters Edith Hoppenworth and husband Ray, and Lucille Hunemuller and husband Virgil, and brother-in-law Herbert Finck. He is survived by two daughters, Sue Ellingson of Cedar Falls and Ginny (Denny) Hanson of Stewartville, MN; daughter-in-law Linda Arneson of Spillville; eleven grandchildren: Brandon, Jon, Jenny, and James Ellingson, Kelly (Dave) Egan, Heather (Gareth) Roberts, Megan (Munch) Sherman, Laurie (Cory) Howes, Kristy (Bryan) Cook, Katy (Eric) Howe, and Julie (Mussa Lungwa) Hanson; 16 great-grandchildren; his sister Evelyn (Phil) Halse of Decorah; and sister-in-law Kathy Finck of Portage, WI.