George French

George Richard French, age 73, beloved father, friend, brother, and husband, passed away on May 8, 2024, at Golden Horizons in Sandstone, MN after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

George was born on June 8, 1950 in Rolla, ND, to Evelyn Mae French & Flavel Merton Ray French. An adventurous boyhood of fishing, hunting, and camping, as well as a strong love of the outdoors, led a young George to become an Eagle Scout. Starting at age 13, George taught Bible classes with FaHoCha Bible Camp’s traveling ministry around North Dakota. He graduated from Moorhead State University in 1972 with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Soon after graduation he married his college sweetheart Arletta Peterson in 1973, and started a family in western Minnesota.

One of his first jobs was for Child Protective Services in the Fargo/Moorhead area. George went on to become the director of Social Services in Ada, Minnesota; the youngest director in the state. He then became a social worker in Two Harbors, MN, until accepting a job as the Director of Social Services in Morris, MN in 1986. The French family lived in Morris until 1999, and then George and Arletta moved to family land in Danbury, Wisconsin. George became a supervisor for Pine County Human Services in Minnesota until his retirement, and was well loved by his staff. In both his working life and personal life, he dedicated his time and efforts to helping others.

Throughout his years, George took many side jobs, and volunteered his time generously to friends and family. A couple of his favorite jobs were operating tractors as a farmhand, and as a bus driver. He and Arletta were active in the Evangelical churches they attended, and sang in a college singing group called The Freeway Singers. The family toured churches as a singing group while their kids were young, and later on in life George played bass while Arletta sang for the worship team at Siren Covenant Church. George was a skilled builder, building a home and garage in Morris and a cabin and art studio in Danbury. He helped his son build a cabin in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, and built many other sheds and structures for his family. He learned the trade of repairing sewing machines and loved to work on them in his spare time, picking up broken machines in Duluth and bringing them back fixed. His favorite hobby of all was helping those in need.

George was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Berte Jean French, Leda French, and Mona Olson. He is survived by his wife Arletta Rue, their children Gianna Rae (Chris Kordatzky) and Andrew Richard (Michelle Nordeen), and Kordatzky grandchildren; Maya Evelyn, Brin Riley, Dane Howard, and Omri Christopher; brother Chuck French (Peggy), sisters Pat Anderson (Arlin), Becky Gildner (Al), Lis Trouten, Evangeline Kindervater (David); brother- in- law Dean Olson; along with countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM (visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 AM) at the Siren Covenant Church in Siren, WI with Pastor Brian Pardun officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations to be sent to FaHoChas Bible Camp 8799 21st St. NE, Warwick, ND 58381 or you can use the link fahocha.org. Please write in the memo area In Memory of George French.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.