ARNOLD H. JOHNSON

ARNOLD H. JOHNSON Arnold Henry Johnson, 94, formerly of Finley, died April 23, 2014, at Sanford Health in Mayville. Arnold was born April 5, 1920, in Sharon, N.D. to Carl and Ida (Maystad) Johnson. He was the youngest of seven children. Arnold attended and graduated from Sharon Public School. After graduation, he worked on the Elmer Brunsdale farm at Mayville. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. While serving in the Army, Arnold was injured at Normandy Beach. He was shipped to a hospital in England and eventually was sent to Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO, in November, 1944. During his recovery there, he met Mary Lange, R.N., whom he married on March 14, 1945. Arnold received a Purple Heart from the Army and was discharged from the service in 1945.   After his discharge, Arnold and Mary moved to ND and purchased land with a farmstead near Sharon where they lived for 34 years. Besides farming, Arnold drove school bus for many years for the Sharon Public School. He attended Auctioneering School in Mason City, IA, in December, 1960. In 1962, after retiring from farming, Arnold ran his own campaign and was elected Steele County Judge, Clerk of Courts, and Register of Deeds. He held those offices until 1985. In 1979, Arnold and Mary moved to Finley. They also spent many winters in Mesa, AZ. Mary died October 20, 2013. Arnold was active in his churches - Hoff Lutheran at rural Sharon, Trinity Lutheran Church in Sharon, and Finley Lutheran. He was an active member of the Sharon American Legion. Arnold enjoyed playing pinochle several times a week. Arnold moved to Hatton Prairie Village Care Center in September, 2013, and resided there until the time of his death. Arnold is survived by: daughters, Joan (Kenneth) Slingsby, Welch, MN, Rita (Arlen) Sundahl, Minot, ND; grandsons, Justin Slingsby (Emily Sheehan) Minneapolis, MN, Karl Slingsby (Katie) Minneapolis, MN; and great grandchildren, Miles Slingsby and Nina Slingsby; several nieces, nephews, and brother-in-law John Riley.  Arnold was preceded in death by: wife, Mary; parents, Carl and Ida; and siblings, Minor, Chester, Alfred, Carl, Marie and Ina. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 1st, 11:00 in Finley Lutheran Church. Interment will be on Friday, May 2nd, 11:00 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Finley Lutheran Church, North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, or a charity of choice.