Jim Arnt, 68

Jim Arnt was born to Henrietta and James Arnt on February 18, 1948 in Tracy, MN.  He graduated from Tracy High School in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Navy.  After discharging from the Navy in 1969 for family reasons, Jim began flight training in Tracy, MN.  He continued as a flight instructor and moved to Florida to learn more about aerial spraying.  In 1972, Jim founded Arnt Aerial Spraying in Worthington, MN with the help of his dear friend, Bill Miller.  Pat Uttech was united with Jim in marriage on May 28, 1995 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN. His business prospered for 44 years until he passed away on August 19, 2016 at the age of 68.  Over the years, Jim logged over 16,000 hours of flight.  Jim was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran church where he served as an elder for many years.  Jim devoted his life to his family and treasured flying for over 45 years.

Many who met Jim witnessed his integrity and honesty.  In every avenue of his life, he daily asked God for wisdom and strength to make the right choices for his business and family. He was truly a gift from God.  He always was positive that God was his copilot and took control many times to watch over him.  Now, we can be assured the two best pilots are flying high together in heaven.  We are selfish and want his physical body here on earth but his spirit has written on all our hearts and we take that and make this world a better place by his request.  May all glory be given to God for his wonderful life and may God rest his soul in eternity forever.  Blessed be his memory.  Amen.

Grateful for having shared his life with him are his mother, Henrietta Arnt of Tracy, MN; his wife, Pat Arnt of Worthington, MN; 6 children, Brittany Baerenwald of Colorado Springs, CO, Tabitha Baerenwald of Fulda, MN, Jessica, JR, Autumn and Faith Arnt of Worthington, MN; his granddaughter, Violet; his 6 sisters Lynn (Gene) Teufert, JoAnn (Ed) Assad, Barb Arnt, Ellen (Paul) Malone, Ann (Darriel) Boerboom, Loretta (Harry) Algyer and his one brother Jay (Jeanine) Arnt.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Arnt, brother, Jon Arnt and sister, Jean Arnt.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Schreiber officiating. Burial with military honors was at the Worthington Cemetery.  Casket bearers are Jay Arnt, Paul Malone, Darriel Boerboom, Harry Algyer, Ed Assad and John Penning.  Honorary casket bearers are Bill Miller and Gene Teufert.

Robert Carlson, 61

Memorial service for Robert Carlson, age 61 of Mt. Lake, MN, was held Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Alliance Missionary Church in Mt. Lake.  Pastor Kevin Walzak officiated with music by the Alliance Church Worship Team. 

Robert Duane Carlson was born April 28, 1955 in Slayton, MN to Roy and Lorriane (Schaffer) Carlson and grew up on a farm near Lake Shetek.  He graduated from Tracy High School in 1973.  In 1974 he enlisted in the US Marine Corps where his first mission was to assist in the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged in 1978.  In 1980 he graduated second in his class from Jackson Vo-Tech for auto body.  For nine years he ran a body shop in Mountain Lake.  For the 10 years following he worked at The Toro Company.  After this he returned to his passion of auto body work and was self-employed at the time of his death.  His attention to meticulous details and the work he did were second to none.  In 1981 he married Mary Jo Heiderscheidt in Tracy, MN.  Together they had a daughter, Bobby Jo, a son Bill, and a daughter Brandy.  They lived in Springfield, MN for four years and later made their permanent home in Mountain Lake. 

In 1991, he experienced the Lord’s calling and made Jesus his Savior.  His family could always count on him to come to the rescue for their car troubles and moral support.  Having family members and friends stop by to see him, brought him joy, and he often found goodies to offer.  He loved fast cars and drove stock car in Slayton, MN for a couple of years.  He also enjoyed target shooting, car shows and going to auctions.

Robert died unexpectedly in his home on August 4, 2016 at the age of 61. 

He is survived by his children, Bobby Jo (Josh) Nickel and their children Peter and Jacob; Bill Carlson (Robin Songkahm); Brandy (Ryan) Schwartz and their children Elijah, Thomas, Natalie and William.  As well as his former wife Mary Jo Carlson, brothers Tom (Shirley), Jim, Fran (Sandy), John (Lori), Joel, Mike (Melissa) and sisters Kathy (Doug) Bloemke, Paulette (Joe) Stefanick, Camilla (Jim) Schmidt, Marlene (Rob) Morgan and many nieces and nephews. 

His is preceded in death by his infant son Nicholas, parents, two nephews and a niece.

His powerful personality touched many lives.  He was called home to a beautiful place of rest and peace sooner than expected, and will be dearly missed.

Opal Horsman, 94

Opal Elizabeth (Olson) Horsman, of Tracy, MN,  passed away on Monday, August 15, 2016 at Prairie View Senior Living Center in Tracy, MN surrounded by her family. 

Opal was born of June 29, 1922 in Litchfield, MN to Harry & Julia Olson.    She is preceded in death by her parents, husband  Alro Johnson who was killed in 1945 in Okinawa, Glen Horsman who died in 1981, and her three brothers, Harris, Les, & Harold Olson.

Opal is survived by sons Ronald Johnson and wife Nancy of St Cloud, MN and Roger Johnson and wife Carol Lee of Hernando, FL;  nine grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren,   two sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Opal is a graduate of Westbrook High school and worked many jobs including K & K clothing,  JC Penney, and GH  Plumbing  & Heating  all in Tracy.    Opal loved music and was a former organist at First Presbyterian Church in Tracy.

A private family service will be held at Tracy Presbyterian Church on Sat., Oct. 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.   A tribute and celebration to Opal’s life will continue after the family service from  12:30-2:30 in the church social hall.   This is open to all.  Interment will follow at the Tracy Cemetery. 

Arrangements are with Affordable Cremation of Southwest, MN.

Cynthia Livingston, 74

Cynthia (Cynde) Loy Livingston passed away on August 6, 2016 in Eau Claire, WI from pancreatic cancer.  

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Garvin, MN. Everyone is encouraged to wear red since this was Cynde’s favorite color. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to hospice or a local charity.