Arnold Shirley

Arnold J. Shirley, of Fergus Falls, 85, formerly of Rothsay, died peacefully surrounded by family members, Saturday, June 26, 2010, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls of congestive heart failure. Arnold Julian August Shirley was born July 13, 1924, at Rothsay Minnesota. His parents were John Anton and Clara Augusta (Korth) Shirley. He was Baptized and Confirmed at the Hamar Lutheran Church, attended rural school District #82, and graduated from Rothsay High School in 1942. He was employed at Lindberg Motor Company from September, 1942, until April, 1943. He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1943 during World War II, took Basic training and graduated as a Tank Mechanic at the Armored School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was sent to England in May of 1944 and then to Normandy, France to the Armored Replacement Center where he became a member of the 2nd Armored Division “Hell On Wheels” as a Tank Mechanic. He served with Combat Co. “C” 66th Armored Division which fought across France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany and returned to fight in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes and back to Germany. His division was selected to be part of the parade troops in Berlin from July 4, 1945, to August 6, 1945, during the signing of the Peace Treaty at the end of hostilities. He received Campaign medals for Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Belgian Fourragere, and American Theater Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 1, 1946. He returned to Rothsay and married Lorraine Honrud on February 23, 1946. She died on September 22, 1983.  He was employed by Lindberg Motor Company as a mechanic, parts manager, and shop foreman until July of 1959. He and Lorraine purchased Alf’s Standard Service and Café and renamed it Shirley’s Standard Service and Café. In 1978 the Café was closed and in 1987 gasoline sale was discontinued and it became Shirley’s Service. He was a substitute Rural mail carrier; on the Rothsay Fire Department for 27 years where he held various offices and retired as chief; served one term as Mayor; was on Our Savior’s Church Council for 18 years; an American Legion Member from 1946; a lifetime member of the VFW; on the Board of Governors in the 2nd Armored Division Assn. for many years; a member of the Otter Tail and Wilkin County Historical Society; Rothsay Commercial Club; a member of The Battle of the Bulge Inc.; Rothsay Renovators Car Club; Heimskringla Lodge #12 Sons of Norway; and a volunteer at the Veterans Home. On May 14, 1994, he married Phyllis Hauger and they continued to live in Rothsay. Arnold was a regular participant in the annual reunions of “Hell on Wheels” 2nd Armored Division Assn. beginning in 1984. He traveled to meet his Army buddies as far as Ft. Hood, Texas, Washington D.C., Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. After he and Phyllis were married she accompanied him and they traveled with a group of other Veterans and spouses to the 50th anniversary of “D” Day and followed their invasion route from England to Normandy Beach in France through Belgium, Holland, and all the way to Berlin. They also went to Washington D.C. with a group of other Veterans to attend the dedication of the WW II Memorial. The 2nd Armored Division was invited to participate in the parade in New Orleans for the dedication of the WW II Museum. They also traveled with various tour groups to many other points in the United States, and to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, and to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Arnold retired from shop work and they sold the business and home in April, 2008, and they moved to an apartment in Fergus Falls. He is survived by three sons: Allan (Sara) Shirley of Vergas, MN, Leslie (Norma) Shirley of Rothsay, MN, and Jeffrey (Kristy) Shirley of Harwood, ND; his wife, Phyllis Shirley of Fergus Falls; four stepsons: Daryl (Donna) Hauger of West Des Moines, IA, Terry (Connie) Hauger of Vergas, MN, Jeffrey (Susan) Hauger of Morris, MN, and Philip (Cindy) Hauger of Bismarck, ND; one step-daughter, Pauline (Tim) Rinke of Dilworth, and a step daughter-in-law, Marlyce Hauger of Urbandale, IA; four grandchildren: Travis Shirley, Jake (Jodi) Shirley, Megan (Ben) Rheault, and Mallory (Chris) Wilsted; 19 step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and 13 step-great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Lorraine; his half sister, Mildred (Shirley) Grunewald and her husband, Walter; a stepson, Dayle Hauger; and a step-granddaughter, Heidie Hauger. Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice and PARTNERS in Rothsay. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Olson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Rothsay, MN Clergy: Reverend Paul Huso Burial: Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery, Rothsay, MN Military Participation: Fergus Falls V.F.W. Post 612 and Rothsay American Legion Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls