Arnold J Bell

Arnold John Bell, age 97, of Mankato died Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Immanuel-St. Joseph's Hospital, Mankato.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato. Visitation will be one hour before service at church on Wednesday. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given to the Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Arnold was born April 6, 1911 to John and Emma (Rabe) Bell in Whittemore, IA. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1929 and attended Luther College, Decorah, IA. He was united in marriage to Margaret E. Erdner on April 23, 1939 in Northwood, IA. Arnold worked for his father at his Hardware Store in Mapleton and the family farm and the creamery in Beauford. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Los Angeles before returning to Mankato. Arnold owned and operated restaurants, Arnie's Coffee Shop, the Wagon Wheel and Bell's Hamburgers with his brother, Al, in Mankato and Uncle Albert's in Eagle Lake. He also owned a hatchery and Turkey Farm with his brothers, Al and Harry in South Bend Township. Arnold was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Eagle's Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and growing fruit trees, and handicapping race horses.

Arnold is survived by a son, John Bell and wife, Dot of St. Louis Park, MN; two grandchildren, David Bell and wife, Helen of Grand Rapids, OH, and Geoffrey Bell of Troy, MI; two great-granddaughters, Elsa and Solveig Bell; sister, Lora Johnston of Mapleton; three sisters-in-law, Fern Bell of Plymouth, Ruth Bell of Mankato, and Arzella Whipplinger of Kiester; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret on August 4, 2005; four brothers, Harry, Albert, Wilbur, and an infant brother.