Francis F. Arness

Monday, March 12, 2018 3:58 pm

Francis F. Arness, 96, of Decorah, died Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Pastor Brenda Crossfield and Pastor Dave Sorenson officiating. Burial is in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah, in the spring, with full military honors by Decorah’s veterans and military organizations, and U.S. Army personnel. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and Thursday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church. Organist was Kathy Murray. Congregational hymns were “Rock of Ages,” “On Eagles Wings” and “Amazing Grace.” Casket bearers were Dave Galligan, Leon Felke, Brenda Elsner, Eric Gerleman, Lisa Gerleman, John Gerleman, Wayne Wangsess and Ryan Wangsness. Honorary pall bearers were Shelly Jump Gerleman; his six great-grandchildren; and Helof Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Francis Filmore Arness was born March 5, 1922, in Decorah, the son of Richard and Bertha (Wangness) Arness. He graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1941.

He entered the U.S. Army in June of 1945 and was honorably discharged in December of 1946.

He was united in marriage to Lillian Erma Haugen June 21, 1952, at Decorah Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with two children, Robert and Ruth.
Francis farmed for a number of years and then worked at DECO Products in Decorah, from May 1962 until his retirement Sept. 8, 1987. He loved his flowers, gardening, bird watching, his cats and dogs, playing cards, going on long Sunday rides, and most of all his whole family. He was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and Helof Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977, where he was a past post commander.

Francis is survived by his daughter, Ruth (Dennis) Gerleman, of Decorah; four grandchildren: Brenda Elsner of Decorah, Eric (Shelly) Gerleman of Mabel, Minn. and John Gerleman and Lisa Gerleman of Decorah; and six great-grandchildren: Cheyenne, Montana and Sierra Jump Gerleman, Dustin and Joseph Elsner, and Benjamin Flack.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma, Dec. 22, 2010; his son, Bob, Jan. 3, 2008; his parents, Richard and Bertha; his father- and mother-in-law, Edwin and Louise Haugen; his sister and her husband, Ethel and Errol Felke; and by two nephews, Erik Haugen and Raymond Felke.