Charles Arneson

The family of Mr. Charles Arneson, beloved husband of Ella Arneson, of the Rockford District, sadly announce his passing on Friday, March 15th. Charles was 93 years of age.

Charles Olaf Arneson was born on July 8, 1930, in Stenen, SK to Sadie Lillian (Halverson) and Sigurd Arneson. He attended Peerless School near his home in Rockford where he grew up with his two brothers, Alf and Tony Arneson.

Charles worked with his parents on the farm in his younger years. He was employed by the L.I.D in Hudson Bay area for two years, then moved to Carrot River and then to Meadow Lake in the fourth year where he was the foreman for the bridge gang. He eventually returned home to start a life of farming and worked for The Pas Lumber Co. during the winters, falling and limbing timber with his father and brother, Tony for a number of years.

On July 10, 1956, Charlie married the love of his life, Ella Ruth Mills, in the Anglican Church Endeavour. Charlie & Ella spent their first winter as husband and wife in Cinema, BC, where Charlie worked in the bush. They returned to their farm in Rockford in the spring. Upon their arrival back home to Saskatchewan they bought cows and Charlie did some trapping, cutting wood, logging and sawed lumber. He bought his Uncle Grants farm along with some other land throughout the years and carried on working at the lumber mill. Charlie & Ella built their current home and moved in, in 1959, where they raised their three children and continued cattle farming and grain farming while working winters in the bush. In his retirement he enjoyed a quiet life on the farm, and took a few trips, traveling to Norway to visit family, while spending time with his many grandchildren.

Charlie will be remembered for his love of sharing many life stories, hunting, farming, and making miles sightseeing the country side. He was an active member of the Rockford Church of the Good Shepherd.

Charlie and Ella continued to live on the farm where they raised their family. On March 15, 2024, surrounded by his family, Charlie peacefully went to be with the Lord.     

Charlie was predeceased by his parents, Sigurd and Sadie Arneson; brothers, Tony and Alf Arneson; and grandson, Sigurd Arneson.

Charlie will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Ella; sons, Wes (Sue) Arneson, and Bryan (Rose) Arneson; daughter, Sheila Barber; grand-children, Brant Barber (Fallyn Oxley), Lorissa (Clint) Petras, Tyson (Rene) Arneson, Billie-Joe (Quin) Townsend, Emmit (Brandi) Arneson, Casey (Tambor) Arneson, and Erik Arneson; great-grandchildren, Liam, Sawyer, Ross, Emerson, Trinity, Skylee, Sophie, Hannah, Everett, Natalie and Arthur, as well and his extended family and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from the Chapel of Preeceville Funeral Home with Rev. Luanne Hrywkiw of Holy Trinity Anglican Church officiating.  Interment followed in the Rockford Community Cemetery with Emmit Arneson,       Erik Arneson, Tyson Arneson, Casey Arneson, Brant Barber, and Quin Townsend serving as casket bearers Memorials may be made to St. James Anglican Church (c/o Gaylene Palagian, Box 434, Preeceville, SK, S0A 3B0) as gifts of remembrance.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.