Steve Earlen Arneson

Thursday, March 28, 2019 4:22 pm

Steve Earlen Arneson, 65, of Spillville, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2019, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. A celebration of Steve’s life is Saturday, March 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Spillville Public Library, 201 Oak Street in Spillville. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Steve Earlen Arneson was born May 2, 1953, the son of Earlen and Bert (Finck) Arneson in Decorah. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1971. Steve found his career at Luther College where he worked for the last 28 years before retirement. Steve married the love of his life and best friend, Linda Schmitt, Friday the 13th of July, 1979, in Decorah. Together they had three daughters: Kelly, Heather and Megan. Steve was an amazing dad to his beautiful girls and taught them each how to love with their whole hearts. In 2006 he took on a new role of Papa and enjoyed spending time with his now six grandchildren. He was a true outdoorsman that loved to canoe and camp. Steve’s love for the outdoors brought him to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area annually for over 26 years. Many weekends you could find him camping with his family and friends at The Yukon, enjoying the Turkey River and campfires. He will be remembered as a man who lived life to the fullest and was someone you could always depend on. He loved his family and friends deeply and will be missed by many.

Steve is survived by his wife, Linda Arneson, Spillville; daughters: Kelly (David) Egan, Sumner; Heather (Gareth) Roberts, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Megan (Munch) Sherman, Ridgeway; father, Earlen Arneson, Decorah; grandchildren: Anna, Sam and Ben Egan; Kaylin Roberts; Lizzie and Levi Sherman; siblings: Susan Ellingson, Cedar Falls; Virginia (Dennis) Hanson, Stewartville, Minn.; father and mother-in-law, Edgar and Rita (Sabelka) Schmitt, Decorah; in-laws: Kevin Schmitt, Fort Atkinson; Lori (John) Murray, New Hampton and Keith (Marilyn) Schmitt, Longmont, Colo.; along with many nieces and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Bert Arneson; and brother-in-law, Jeff Ellingson.