Arnold Wegner

Arnold R. "Arne" Wegner, a long-time resident of Fergus Falls, and most recently of Des Moines, Iowa, died at the age of 88 on Friday, September 21, 2007, at the Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Arne was born on March 27, 1919, in Inver Grove Township, Dakota County, Minnesota, the youngest son of R.C.A. and Alvina (Krueger) Wegner. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith, attended parochial schools in both Nicollet and Otter Tail Counties, and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN, in May, 1933. He completed high school in Alexandria with the class of 1936. After moving to Fergus Falls with his parents in 1938, he attended the Otter Tail School of Business and, in later years, the Community College in Fergus Falls. Prior to serving in the Army, Arne was employed as an accountant for an automobile dealership. He entered the Army on June 28, 1941. On June 4, 1943, Arne married Adeline Koppe at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Three months later, he was shipped overseas to the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) during WWII with the First Army's 3rd Armored Division. Arne returned to the U.S. in September, 1945, after having served in all five major campaigns in France, Belgium and Germany. He received an Honorable Discharge. Arne worked for the REA Electrical Engineering firm as an electrical draftsman and accountant until November 28, 1948, when he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard where he was employed as Unit Administrator with the rank of Warrant Officer. In January, 1951, he was called to active duty with the 47th Infantry Division during the Korean War. In November, 1952, he was assigned to the Army Inactive Reserve until April 5, 1955, when he was Honorably Discharged. Arne returned to accounting and was employed at the Regional Treatment Center, from which he retired in May, 1982. His retirement years were spent enjoying his woodworking hobby and traveling the U.S. with Adeline to visit family and friends, as well as enjoying guided tours to Canada and Mexico. As a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1938 to 1991, Arne served in various offices and as a Sunday School teacher. From 1960 until its division in 1963, he served on the Minnesota District (LCMS) Board of Directors. Also from 1965 to 1968, he served as Secretary of the Minnesota North District of the Lutheran Laymen's League. In October, 1991, Arne and Adeline transferred their membership to Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, where he served as financial secretary for many years. Arne was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Adeline, and his two sisters, Tabea Thies and Leona Heuchert. His only brother, Herman, was killed at Pearl Harbor on May 21, 1944, in a tragic fire while serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS LST 353. Surviving Arne are his two sons: Richard (Jo Ann), Longwood, FL, and Thomas (Bonnie), Des Moines, IA; four grandchildren: Shelly (Mike) Campbell, and Karmen (Rob) Russo, both in Florida, and David (Sharon) Wegner and Heidi Wegner, both in Iowa; five great-grandchildren: Geoffrey, Jake, Jeremiah, Megan, and Mitchell; one nephew, and several nieces. Visitation: Closed casket visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Clergy:     Reverend Craig Palach Interment: Trinity-Faith Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls MN Military Participation: Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post #30 Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com