Arnold “Arnie” Stoel and his twin brother, Clarence, were born November 15, 1933, to Balthazar and Jenny (Van Roekel) Stoel in Fenton Township, Chandler, Minnesota. Arnie was baptized and received his confirmation at the Chandler Reformed Church. He attended school through the eighth grade. On October 11, 1956, Arnie was drafted into the military where he was involved in the Police Action after the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the Army on July 11, 1958.
On November 6, 1959, Arnie was united in marriage to Lorraine Roghair at the Okaton Reformed Church in Okaton, South Dakota. The couple moved to Luverne, Minnesota, where Arnie began working for Hanson Silo Company. After three years, he became employed with Mid Packing and later IBP where he would remain until his retirement in 1998. After his retirement, Arnie helped various farmers and helped at the mink ranch from time to time.
In September of 2022, Arnie and Lorraine moved to Bethany Meadows in Brandon, South Dakota.
On Saturday, February 17, 2024, Arnie passed away at Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota, at the age of 90 years, 3 months, and 2 days.
Arnie was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. He enjoyed gardening in his spare time and grew many vegetables and flowers. He was especially proud of his gladiolus and won many ribbons at the county fair. He was a John Deere man and considered working for other farmers as a hobby. Arnie was an avid pinochle and cribbage player, and if there were two or more people, the cards would come out for an exciting game. He loved to take drives in the country while listening to polka music and reminiscing about the places and people who lived there. You could also see him pedaling around the neighborhood with family on his tandem bicycle. Most importantly, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Arnold will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lorraine, of Brandon; four children, Lorretta Schmidt of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kelvin (Lilah) Stoel of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Glen Stoel of Luverne, and Caren (Laine) Henry of Grimes, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Duane (Michelle) Schmidt, Jerri Schmidt, Cassaundra Garegnani, Lacie Stoel, David (Kristi) Hyland, Chelsey Schmidt, Arielle Schmidt, Nicholas DeBoer, Shelbie Stoel, and Mathew Stoel; nine great-grandchildren, Brook Schmidt, Adrianna Garegnani, Gemma Garegnani, Carter Peterson, Riley Hyland, Emerson Hyland, Duane Stoel, Oliver Verschelde, and Norah Foudray; siblings, Genevive (Ray) Sportel of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Katherine (Gerald) Bruxvoort of Luverne, and Bernard (Mary) Stoel of Trosky, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Jill Stoel of Plano, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Balthazar and Jennie Stoel; brothers Jacob, John, Clarence and Gerald Stoel; granddaughter Kristi Lee; and grandson-in-law Bret Garegnani.
Visitation will be Friday, February 23, from 5-7 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service will be Saturday, February 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.