Arnold William “Arnie” Pahl was born at home on a farm in rural Sutherland, Iowa, to William Henry and Anna (Giebel) Pahl on November 28, 1937. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley, IA and received his education at Moneta, Iowa, graduating from Moneta High School in 1956. Following graduation, he began farming with his father.
On June 18, 1960, Arnie was united in marriage to Bonita Krutzfeldt. The couple began farming together near Moneta, then moved to the family homestead south of Hartley. Arnie was active in his community, serving as a director for the O’Brien County Pork Producers of which he was a member, as well as two terms on the Hartley Hospital Board. He was also a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley where he served as an elder for two terms. He belonged to a Monday night bowling league for several years, and he and Bonita enjoyed many happy hours at the lakes, playing cards with friends, fishing, and traveling with their children. Branson, Missouri, became a favorite destination for trout fishing and variety shows.
Arnie and Bonita retired from full-time farming in 1991 and moved to Little Spirit Lake, then to Wahpeton, Iowa, in 1993. After moving to Wahpeton, Arnie put many miles on his bicycle and he and Bonita continued to enjoy fishing and entertaining friends and family. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Spirit Lake, Iowa.
After Bonita’s death in 2006, Arnie was united in marriage to Betty (Schmidt) White on March 3, 2007. He and Betty shared many good times together playing shuffleboard and other games with friends, fishing, spending winters in Arizona, and traveling. They attended Immanuel Lutheran Church while in Iowa and Mountain View Lutheran Church when in Arizona.
On Friday, March 17, 2023, Arnie passed from this life at the age of 85 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty, of Milford, IA,; children: Brad (Cindy) Pahl of Arden Hills, MN; Susan (Gary) Grapevine of Milford, IA; step-children: Nancy (Dave) Miller of Fountain Hills, AZ; Sherry (Chuck) Stockwell of Vermillion, SD; and Mike (Cheryl) White of Carson City, NV; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many other relatives and good friends.
Memorial service was held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Interment at Pleasant View Cemetery, Hartley, Iowa.