Vivian Arndt

Vivian Arndt, age 87, formerly of Clinton, died April 2, 2014, at St. Anthony's Health Center in St. Anthony, MN.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Holden Lutheran Church in Beardsley, MN with Pastor Bev McNeill officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Vivian Lucille (Stielow) Arndt was born November 30, 1926 in Prior Township. She was the second youngest of six children born to John and May Stielow of rural Big Stone County, Minnesota. She enjoyed growing up on the farm and often had stories to tell about her adventures. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1944.

On February 14, 1945, she married Merlin Arndt. They settled into the farming life--- raising crops, livestock, and five children, Joyce, Gene, Carole, Kathy and Kristi. They lived on a farm near Beardsley and then bought and moved to a farm near Clinton in 1964. They remained on the farm until 1987 when they retired and moved to a home just outside of the Ortonville. Merlin died in 1998, and a few years later Vivian moved into Ortonville.

Vivian was always busy—cooking, sewing, canning, taking care of farm chores, taking care of kids and grandkids, and all of the little furry pets that made their way into her house. She taught her kids and grandkids a special kindness to animals of all sizes. She was an avid "picture taker" her whole life, and passed that joy on to many of her children. She was a 4-H leader and was always proud of her role as Sunday School Superintendent at Holden Lutheran Church. She occasionally played organ at the church services and was very active in the Ladies Aid. She was a long-time volunteer at the Good Samaritan Home in Clinton where both her parents resided for a number of years.

Vivian and Merlin took many trips around the country, usually visiting friends and relatives along the way. They loved going to the Minnesota State Fair with Arloe and Inez Larson. She and Merlin also traveled to Germany and Switzerland. After Merlin died, Vivian continued to travel, taking trips to Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Hawaii. One of her last big trips was to Las Vegas to celebrate her 80th birthday—Wayne Newton and all.

She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by her children Joyce (Dale) Melcher, Eugene "Gene" Arndt, Carole Arndt (Dewey Sipprell), Kathleen "Kathy" Ristau, and Kristi Arndt (Charlie Ruegemer). In addition to her children, she leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren; sister Pearl Mosen of Bellingham, Washington; brothers Marvin Stielow of Hawthorne, California, and Richard "Dick" (Alice) Stielow of Clinton; sisters-in -law Betty Stielow, Anna Mae Schneider, Gladys Paulsen, Mary Ann Arndt, Floradeen (John) Drewelow, Darlene Colvin, Marlene Rau, and Lois Arndt as well as many nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Merlin Arndt, parents John and May Stielow, brother John "Jack" Stielow, sister Inez Larson, and infant great-granddaughter Tiffanny Arndt.

In lieu of flowers family prefers memorials to Holden Sunday School, Holden Ladies or St. Anthony's Life Enrichment.