HANSKA–Arnie Smesmo, age 86, of Hanska passed away Monday, July 14, 2025 at his home in Hanska. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska. Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Hanska. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes – South Chapel in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska. To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Arnie is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Sonja Smesmo; daughters, Nancy (Steve) Grams, Jennifer (Tony) Beckius; son, Jeffrey (Roxann) Smesmo; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters, Patty (Leslie) Anderson, Karen Boesch, JoAnn Hendrickson; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gary Smesmo; sister, Judy Diane Miller; and brother, Gary Brudelie.

Arnie Carl Smesmo, Jr. was born January 3, 1939 to Arnie, Sr. and Juliet (Larson) Smesmo in Madelia. He graduated from Hanska High School in 1957 and served in the National Guard. On October 10, 1959, Arnie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sonja Frederickson, at Albion Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with four children. In addition to being a husband and father, Arnie worked as the Hanska city clerk and as the manager of the Municipal in Hanska. He also was a part of the Hanska Fire Department, classic car club, Hanska Business Association, Lin-Hans-Rud Dance Group, Blackie and the Blue Boys Band, and a former board member and Sunday school teacher at Zion Lutheran Church. In his free time, Arnie loved gardening and taking care of his green plants, playing a wide range of different instruments that he learned simply by ear, and playing horseshoes. Arnie especially loved all the nights playing his guitar and singing by the campfire and any time he was able to spend with his wife, kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Arnie will be dearly missed. Blessed be his memory.

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