Arnie Mehrer, age 79 of Mott, passed from this life on May 27, 2008 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mott, ND.


The funeral service for Arnie will be held at 2:00 p.m. MT on Friday, May 30, 2008 at the First Congregational Church in Mott. Pastor John Amundson will officiate with burial in the Sunnyslope Cemetery at Mott.


Special music will be provided by Grant and Drew Larson, instrumentalists; Rob Larson, pianist and Heather Hertz, organist. Eulogizing Arnie's life will be Ray Bieber and Lynn Dill.


Serving as casketbearers are Dale Zich, Art Schaible, Ray Bieber, Lynn Dill, Kerry Swindler, LaMoin Mehrer, Dave Nasset, and Mark Bauer.


ARNOLD L. MEHRER "Arnie to his many friends" was born on September 16th, 1928, on the family farm south of Mott to Henry and Amelia (Wiege) Mehrer. He was the oldest of three children and was educated in the Mott School District graduating in 1947. Arnie always had a fascination for small aircraft and he received his private pilot license at the age of 16. Following high school, he attended the University of North Dakota until returning home to farm with his father in 1950.


Arnie was united in marriage to Donna Mae Schreck in Denver, CO on September 27, 1952. To this union two children, Brad and Laurie, completed this family. Summer activities at Lake Tschida and traveling were cherished times spent together. Donna passed much too soon from this life in January of 1981. In November of 1983, Arnie married Shirley Nasset in Arizona. Together they enjoyed spending their winter months in Arizona and the summers in North Dakota. Shirley passed away in April of 1997. Arnie was blessed to find a special friend, Ruth Larsen to bring meaning to his remaining years.


Arnie served as Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Mott. He was a member of the North Dakota Livestock Association and the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association. He took an active role in the 4-H program with his children. Arnie served on the board of Castle Rock Township for many years. Arnie also served on the advisory board of the Good Samaritan Center in Mott and was a past Rotary member in Arizona. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Mott where he served on the council and associate member of the Desert Garden United Church of Christ in Sun City West, AZ.


Springtime on the farm brought much enjoyment to Arnie as he watched and tended to the many Hereford calves being born. Cattle were his true passion on the farm.


Arnie's many interests were golfing, gardening, fishing, and traveling. To his final days Arnie was a faithful and committed "Fighting Sioux" football fan. He followed the Phoenix Suns' and Denver Broncos' teams with enthusiasm. Following these games, Arnie had many conversations with his grandsons on what went right in the games or possibly what may have gone wrong. He fervently was involved in the many interests of his grandsons, Grant and Drew.


Arnie is survived by his son, Brad, West Palm Beach, FL; his daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Robert Larson, Mott; grandchildren, Grant and Drew, both of Fargo; sister Louvre Alexander, Bogalusa, LA: brother-in-law, John Kochenburger, Fort Collins, CO; and very special friend, Ruth Larsen, Sun City West, AZ.


Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Amelia; his wives, Donna and Shirley; his sister, Jane Kochenburger; and his brother-in-law, Don Alexander.


A memorial has been established at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mott.