Eldon La Verne Arneson

Eldon La Verne Arneson, age 92, of Webster, WI, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth, MN. Eldon was born in Stoughton, WI, on September 3, 1922, a son of the late Alfred and Jessie (Loveland) Arneson. He attended public schools in Stoughton and Lake Mills WI, Trinchera CO, and Edison NE, where he graduated high school in 1941. Eldon’s father was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service working in those locations, as well as in Webster, WI. While growing up, Eldon worked at a boat livery in Lake Mills WI, the Rayovac Battery Company in Madison WI, the Northrop Aircraft Company in Van Nuys CA, and in the shipyards in San Diego CA. Eldon served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force. He entered active service on February 13, 1943, and was honorably discharged on February 25, 1946. He was primarily assigned to the 514th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, and earned the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Distinguished Unit Citation with Two Oak Leaf Clusters. On October 31, 1946, Eldon married Bess V. Peterson. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for thirty-five years retiring on October 1, 1982. He began as a postal clerk, and three years later, Eldon assumed the same rural mail route that his father, Alfred, was previously assigned. Eldon was a member of Yellow Lake Lutheran Church. He belonged to the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) and the Wisconsin Rural Letter Carriers Association (WIRLCA). He loved deer hunting as well as duck and pheasant hunting. He also enjoyed fishing and feeding the birds. Eldon was well known for meticulously maintaining his yard and flower gardens. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding his Harley motorcycles. Preceding him in death are his parents, Alfred and Jessie Arneson; and a brother, Harold I. (Jean) Arneson. Eldon is survived by Bess, his wife of 68 years; his three children: Russell (Arlene) Arneson; Lynn Arneson; and Gayle (Denis) Pardun; three grandchildren: Eric (Wendy), Grant, and Lindsay Arneson; and three great-grandchildren: Sean, Patrick, and Elle Arneson. He is also survived by a sister, Jeannette Arneson. The funeral service for Eldon L. Arneson will be conducted at 11:00 am (visitation 10:00 to 11:00 am), Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, 7615 County Rd U, Webster, WI. Officiating the service is Pastor Doug Olson, assisted by Pastors Myron Carlson, Roger Kampstra and Danny Wheeler. Full military honors will be held at the church at the conclusion of the funeral service. A fellowship luncheon in Eldon’s honor will follow. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Webster, WI. Casket bearers are Tom Satterlund, Larry O’Connell, Butch Connor, Bob Bushey, Chuck Brookshaw, Denny Blodgett, Eric Arneson, and Grant Arneson. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com.