Earl (Sonny) Charles Arneson Jr.
April 6, 1932 – August 20, 2023
Grey Cloud Island Township, MN, USA
life story
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandpa, and Friend
After sunset on Aug. 20, 2023, Sonny passed from this life to shine his light into the next.
Survived by his wife of 68 years, Donna (née Christensen), and their three children: Krisanne Dattir, St. Paul; E. Cary (Patty) Arneson, Woodbury; Dean Arneson, St. Paul Park. Five grandchildren: Spenser Arneson, St. Paul Park; Oda Eiane, Copenhagen, Denmark; Ashley (JM) Mendez, Los Angeles; Lucas Arne- son, Minneapolis; Frida Eiane, Stavanger, Norway; and German Shepherds, Mynte & Jack.
Preceded in death by his par- ents, Earl and Amanda; sisters Dorothy (Russ) Gottenborg, Jeanne (Maury) Jenson, and a long line of German Shepherd dogs.
In lieu of flowers/donations— sing a loud song of praise or listen to a favorite gospel tune and feel the joy inside your heart!
About Sonny
A humble man of God, his brilliant presence will be missed by many: a kind proprietor, rivet- ing storyteller, intrepid driver, witty jokester, local historian, pitch-perfect whistler (vibrato in- cluded), good-time Charlie (yes, Charles was his middle name).
After high school, Sonny was eager to join the family business and started his career delivering coal for his dad, evolving to oil and gas, and then into modern HVAC equipment and more. He loved his work, and helping his customers was his greatest hon- or and delight. As an added bonus, patrons were often treated to his rich baritone vocals while he worked. His sons continued alongside him into the third gen- eration of the business.
He was loyal to church and family, volunteering on church boards, singing in choirs, teach- ing Sunday School as well as playing on church baseball teams where he earned the nickname, “Home Run Sonny.” For decades, the family lake home was a mecca of weekend fun.