Arnold Carl Stefansen

ARNOLD CARL STEFANSEN was born December 2, 1926 to Stefan and Kjersten (Detlefsen) Stefansen in Tyler, MN. Arnie grew up in Tyler and graduated from Tyler High School in 1945. Following graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in World War II at the Engineer Depot in Italy, then transferred to the 88th Infantry Band and played the tuba. He was honorably discharged in January of 1947. He returned to Tyler and married Jean Faulds, whom he had met at Tyler High School, on March 21, 1947 at Danebod Lutheran Church. They reared three children, and were married for over 62 years until Jean’s death in 2009. After Jean’s death, Arnie lived at Danebod Village for almost five years, then moved in 2014 into assisted living at Lighthouse of Columbia Heights in the Twin Cities.

After marriage Arnie worked as a grocer for K&K and then Fairway (formerly Little Otto’s Grocery Store), then bought the store in 1956 and operated it for thirty-five years, first under the Fairway banner and then as Tyler Food Market, until his retirement in 1991. His particular specialty at the store was making from scratch old-world Danish meats including medisterpolse, rullepolse, and liver paste, which were always in high demand. He later worked part time doing maintenance and groundskeeping at Danebod Village. Arnie was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir, served on the council, was a head usher and past treasurer. He enjoyed reading, table games with his family, and music. He sang with the Al Opland Singers for many years, and was an ardent gardener as well as a good dancer. He was a real people person and made friends wherever he went, living with grace and humor right up until the very end.

Arnie is lovingly remembered by his children, Jill Stefansen (fianc Greg Landkamer) of Minneapolis, MN, and Joel Stefansen of Maryville, TN; son-in-law, Robert Lenertz (fiance Cathy Griesenbrock) of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren, Kristin Lenertz-Kersey (Darren) of Volga, SD, Erin Delgehausen (Jason) of Phoenix, AZ, Scott Stefansen (Brandi) of Taunton, MN, Shawn Stefansen of Marshall, MN, Shane Stefansen of Olivia, MN, and Cory Stefansen of Maryville, TN. Preceded in death by his wife, Jean; daughter, Sally Lenertz; brothers, Frederick, Hilmar, and Norman; sisters, Johanna, Louise, Edna, Esther, and Norma. Blessed be his memory.