Arnold was a firecracker, appropriately born on July 4th, 1926, to Otto and Emma (Loeck) Baer on the family farm northwest of Gary, South Dakota. He was proud of his family’s farming roots, and grew up working the land alongside “Pa”, older brothers Walter and Rudy, and younger brother Erwin. “Ma” kept them all well-fed and did her best to keep the boys in line. Arnold attended country schools northwest of Gary and frequently reminded his kids he was the “valedictorian” of his graduating class. Upon finishing the eighth grade, Otto informed Arnold he had enough schooling to handle a manure fork and lead a team of horses in the field. Growing up on a farm in eastern South Dakota during the dirty-thirties was one of the most formative experiences of Arnold’s life and he loved to talk about those challenging years.

Arnold’s faith was his foundation. He was a life-long active member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, which his parents helped organize in 1924. Arnold sang in the church choir for more than 60 years. When Arnold and brother Erwin were in their teens, Otto didn’t allow the boys to take the car to town for frivolous activity, but they were given permission to drive to town for church choir practice. The brothers enthusiastically joined the choir because they loved to sing, but they also knew it provided an opportunity to meet girls! And that is where Arnold met Eldeen Olsen, the love of his life. Arnold and Eldeen were united in marriage on August 21, 1949. To this union, three daughters and one son were born.

Arnold was a gregarious fellow. He loved to be around people of all ages, learn about their lives and hear their stories. He also greatly enjoyed telling his own stories, to his final days. This trait served him well as a business owner and 34-year school bus driver. Arnold often said he never worked for a living because he always enjoyed what he was doing. He had a remarkable memory and continually reflected on the experiences and accomplishments of his generation. He was a natural-born historian and fittingly served as the first President of the Gary Historical Association. Arnold loved and was proud of his family, his church, community and our country.

Grateful and proud for having shared his life are his wife of 68 years, Eldeen; his children: Brenda Hunt, Sergeant Bluff IA, Becky (Keith) Gilbertson, Alexandria MN, Beth (Dennis) Koenig, Canby MN and Bill (Heidi) Baer, Bemidji MN; grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) McCabe, Jodi (Mike) Goldschmidt, Chad (Stacey Roberts) Hunt, Neil (Sarah) Gilbertson, Emily (Ryan) Finley, Justin (Danielle Olson) Koenig, Anna (Brad) Noyes, and Jon (Meghan) Koenig; 19 great grandchildren; brother, Erwin; sisters-in-law, Iona Woldt and Margaret Olsen; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Waiting to greet him in heaven are his parents, brothers, Walt and Rudy, and son-in-law, David Hunt.