Arnold “Arnie” Berdan
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Winthrop - Arnold "Arnie" Berdan, 73, of rural Winthrop died Friday peacefully at his home after a five month battle-with duodenal cancer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the St Mary's Catholic Church, 504 NW 7th Ave., Arlington with Fathers Keith Salisbury, Jerry Paulson, Bernie Steiner, Germaine Rademacher and James Moran celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Gregory's Catholic Cemetery in Lafayette.
Visitation will be 3 - 8 p.m. Monday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm and will continue from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Way of the Cross or to the donor's choice.
To sign the guest book or to leave an online condolence to the family go to www.mvfh.org.
Arnie is survived by his wife ArleneBerdan of rural Winthrop; his mother Eleanor Berdan of New Ulm; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Jim Strouth of Kandiyohi, Cheryl and Paul Meyer and Lori and Dean Schneider all of New Ulm; sons and daughters-in-law, Cork and Kate Berdan of North Mankato and Kevin and Diane Berdan of Lakeville; grandchildren, Ryan Strouth, Sara Fogg, Nathan and Jennifer Meyer, Justin and Jackson Berdan, Kari Bruns, Chad, Matt, Jeff, Megan and Ross Schneider, Daniel, Jenna, Kayla and Kelsey Berdan; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Alyssa Fogg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Randy and Joan Berdan of New Ulm, Leon and Shirley Berdan of Lafayette; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Philip and JoAnn Gitter, Phyllis and Willard Portner, MaryAnn and Donald Domeier and Delores and Otto Lamacher.
Arnie was preceded in death by his father, Victor Berdan, his father-in-law and mothers-in-law, Joseph and Mary Gitter and Ordella Gitter; and a sister-in-law, Joan Fischer.
Arnold Joseph Berdan, the son of Victor and Eleanor (Preisinger) Berdan was born on December 5, 1935 in rural Lafayette. He spent his childhood in the Lafayette area and attended country school. Arnie was united in marriage to Arlene Gitter on May 26, 1956 at the St. George Catholic Church in St. George. After marriage they lived in Lafayette for 23 years before moving to their current farmsite in 1979. Arnie spent most of his life working with farmers, for the farmers and as a farmer. His life was dedicated to agriculture even up to the time of his death. ashe was able to plant this year's crop in his fields. Arnie started working at the United Farmers Co-op of Lafayette (UFC) on October 1, 1955, becoming the manager in April of 1957. He remained the manager of the Co-op until January 1, 1998 when he retired. While at UFC, he was involved in the formation of Heartland Corn Products in Winthrop including the purchase of the land it was built on. Arnie wasinvolved in getting the railroad restarted andpurchasingthe land the UFC elevator is located on some 40 years ago. Arnie was a very busy man, never traveling anywhere without his pocket calendar to keep track of events he was involved with. He was on many agricultural boards and councils, including Land O' Lakes and Northrup KingSeeds, and was involved in the Sibley County Corn & Soybean Growers Ass'n. andwas a Farm Bureau member. While living in Lafayette, Arnie was on the fire departmentfor 20 years,wasa first responder on emergency calls andwas one of the first EMTs in Lafayette. Arnie was a charter member of the Lafayette Lions Club, was a pastCity Council member andmayor of Lafayette. He was active in his churches, both St. Gregory the Great in Lafayette, where heserved on the building committee,andSt. Michael's Catholic Church in Gaylord. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Forestersat St. Gregory's in Lafayette, a 3rd degree member of the Winthrop/Gaylord Assembly K of C and since April of 1995 a 4th degree member of the St. Peter Assembly Knights of Columbus.He wasa member of the Board of Directorsof Citizens Bank in New Ulm, a member of the New UlmFarm City Hub Club, the Winthrop Opportunities Board, the National Guard for six years and hadbeen an American Red Crossblood donor since 1952. Arnie's awards and recognitions included the Melvin Jones Award presented by the Lions, the American Legion Certificate of Accommodation, the Minnesota Cooperative Leadership Award and was recognized byLand O' Lakes for being a 42-year member.
Arnie, Arlene, and their family enjoyed fishing and spending timeat their lake home on George Lake near Spicer. Arnie enjoyed travelingandplayingSanta Claus, which he didfor many years.
Arnie will be sadly missed by his family and the manyfriendshemade over his lifetime.
