Arvid Sather

Arvid Sather, age 73, of Gary, MN, died Wednesday, August 1st, 2012, at his residence under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Arvid was born May 15, 1939, the son of Alvin and Pearl (Sirjord) Sather in Bear Park Township, MN, where he spent the first few years of his life. In 1942, his family moved to Oregon until 1945, when they returned to the Bear Park area. Arvid attended Gary High School, graduating with the class of 1957. He spent that summer farming with his dad, then for the next two winters, Arvid worked in Seattle and came back to farm in the summers. On August 1st, 1959, Arvid was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Maria Sirjord, at Faaberg Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Waukon Township until 1969, when they moved to their present farm place east of Gary. Arvid farmed his whole life. For the first seven winters of their married life he worked at the American Crystal Sugar Company in Crookston. Arvid was very proud that all of his sons wanted to farm. He retired from farming in 2001, but continued to be active on his boys' farm. He especially enjoyed working the sugar beet harvest and loved the people he worked with. Arvid was a great friend to all he knew and enjoyed everyone's company. Arvid had many favorite past times: He loved playing cards with friends and family, and enjoyed going to the casino; he loved watching his sons and grandchildren play in their sporting events, and loved talking about farming with them; Arvid also loved visiting with his sisters and their families as well as reading and following the Minnesota Vikings. Arvid also treasured the 15 years he and Maria spent wintering in Arizona and Nevada. He was very involved in his community which was shown by the many years he served on the Gary School Board, the Gary Farmers Union and Ness Lutheran Church Council. Arvid had a great sense of humor, loving to tease and tell jokes. He had a wonderful laugh and sparkly blue eyes, which will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Arvid is survived by his wife of 53 years, Maria, of Gary; sons, Michael (Laurie) of Gary and their children, Jeremy (Lindsey) and daughter, Claire, Jeanna, Krysta, Joshua, Jaycke, Kassey and Jase; Joel (Julie) of Gary and their children, Andrew (Britta), Alexander, Anthony and Madelyn; Nathan (Bridget) of Gary and their children, Dylan, Jonah, Steffen, and Lauren; Ben (Lynae) of Fertile and their children Maren and Caleb; sisters, Waetta Martinson of Mahnomen and Pearlie (Robert) Pazdernik of Hillman, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Marion (Palmer) Pederson, Bernice Sundet, Pauline Sirjord, Wanda (Arnie) Benson and brother-in-law, John (Kathy) Sirjord. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers-in-law, Duane Martinson, John Sundet and Omar Sirjord. Funeral Services were held on Monday, August 6th at 10:30 AM in Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary. Visitation was Sunday, August 5th from 5-7 PM with a Prayer Service at 7 PM in Ness Lutheran Church. Visitation was also one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Officiating was Pastor John Ahola with Karen Carlsrud serving as organist and Alden Anderson serving as vocalist. Pallbearers were all of his grandchildren, Jeremy, Joshua, Jaycke, Jase, Andrew, Alex, Anthony, Dylan, Jonah, Steffen, Caleb, Jeanna, Krysta, Kassey, Madelyn, Lauren, Maren and Claire. Interment was in Ness Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary.

Arvid Sather

May 15, 1939 - August 1, 2012