Arnold Pergande

Arnold William Pergande, 86, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, March 15, 2010, at his home under the care of Lakeland Hospice. He was born September 21, 1923, in Williston, North Dakota, the son of Ferdinand and Bertha (Tomhave) Pergande. He moved with his family to Minnesota at the age of nine, to the family farm near Carlisle, homesteaded by his grandfather. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He operated the family farm before moving to Fergus Falls. He was then employed at Fergus Dairy/Mid Am Dairy where he was a machine operator and technician and was a semi-truck driver. He retired after 31 years of employment.  He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II from December of 1944 until July of 1945. On May 11, 1947 he married Erma Marie Schoening at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls.   They made their home on the family farm in Carlisle Township until moving to Fergus Falls in 1953. Arnold was a lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and the Fergus Falls American Legion. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing cards, and visiting with friends.   Helping others with various projects like carpenter work and painting were also activities he enjoyed doing. Preceding him in death were his wife, Erma, in 1992; his parents; a sister, Firma Bellet; a brother, Maurice Pergande; sister-in-law, Viola Pergande and brothers-in-law, Willis Schoening, Don Bellet and Al Halverson. Survivors include two sons, Gerald (Paula) Pergande of Owasso, Oklahoma, and Allen (Mary) Pergande of Jamestown, ND; a granddaughter, Karisti Pergande of Fargo, ND; two sisters, Alice Halverson of Sacramento, California, and Esther (Elwin) Drechsel of Fergus Falls; sister-in-law, Doris Schoening of Fergus Falls and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his companion, Doris Steussy of Fergus Falls, and her children: David (Rose) Steussy of Alexandria, MN, Steven (Coleen) Steussy of Farmington, AK, Ann (Dale) Anderson of Cambridge, MN, Ruth (Tony) Rondeau of Fergus Falls, and Carole (Mylo) Mugaas of Erhard, MN, and numerous friends. Visitation:      5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and  resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service:  11 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2010, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Noel Herr Interment: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Military Participation by the Fergus Falls American Legion and VFW