The funeral service for Arnold “Arnie” Van Winkle, 90, of Balaton, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, at Sillerud Lutheran Church in Balaton. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton. The Horvath Funeral Service of Balaton is handling the arrangements.
Arnold Burt Van Winkle was born on September 4, 1932, in Rock Lake Township, Lyon County, to Glen and Luella (Nelson) Van Winkle. He grew up in rural Balaton and attended Country School. In 1951, he was united in marriage to Helen Hively and the couple shared 68 years together. The couple farmed and raised their family northwest of Balaton. Arnie farmed until 1988 when the couple moved to town. Arnie then drove truck for 30 plus years for various people. He was very social. Arnie enjoyed sharing coffee with his friends down town and enjoying a good joke or story. He also enjoyed drives through the countryside. Arnie was a member of the Rock Lake Township Board, Church Council, Balaton Co-op and Farmer’s Union. For the last three and a half years, Arnie had been living at Lakeview Senior Housing.
Arnold died on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the Lakeview Senior Housing in Balaton, MN. He is survived by his children Betty Ustanko (and Leland Eslinger) of Colman, SD, Gary (and Wendy) Van Winkle of Echo, Darlene Sjoberg of Willmar, and Mary (and Brad) Turtle of Gibbon; 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren, siblings Dean (and Rose Marie) Van Winkle of New Ulm, Betty Johnson of Arizona, sisters-in-law Betty HIvely of Fargo and Evelyn Hively of Marshall and brother-in-law Ray Kirk of Balaton. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Helen, sisters Irma and Jane.