Arvid Magunson, 92 of Parker died Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage. Funeral services will be at 11:00am Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Parker with burial at the Hurley Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be from 5-7pm Tuesday evening at the Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker.
Arvid Walter Magnuson was born on October 1st, 1925 in Pierre, SD to Oscar Albert and Ethel (Borders) Magnuson. His boyhood was spent on a farm 6 ½ miles northwest of Draper, SD – his elementary education was received at Lincoln Crest School 1 ½ miles west of the farm. His siblings consisted of three older sisters, namely, Pauline, Bernice, and Doris.
After graduation from grade school, he attended high school and graduated from Draper High in 1943. After graduation, Arvid farmed and ranched with his dad – he took over the operation in 1947.
He was united in marriage to Cecile Lintvedt in 1947. To this union, three children were born, Richard Arvid, Elaine Carla, and Denise Kay. In 1958, Arvid and Cecile moved into Murdo to be close to the children’s school. In 1960, they built a new house and he continued farming and ranching until 1968.
Arvid then rented out his land and bought a John Deere dealership in Murdo – he was in this business until 1972. Next, he worked for one year at the Ford dealership in Murdo in selling and parts.
Arvid raised registered quarter horses and won prizes with his Hereford cattle. He served as chairman of the hospital board in Murdo, Jones County, for many years. He was also a charter member of the Murdo Lions Club. He served on the Murdo School Board and City Council, and was very active in his church.
In 1973, he went to Sioux Falls, SD and worked at the Sioux Falls Stockyards as a salesman for Wagner & Garrison and Abbot commission firm. In 1977, he began working at Dakon in Sioux Falls as a warehouse worker.
In 1978, he was united in marriage to Debra Hansen of Hurley, SD. He was then promoted to Branch Manager at Dakon and they moved from Sioux Falls to Omaha, NE in late 1978. To this union, two children were born, Misty Irene and Aaron Walter. When Dakon closed in 1987, Arvid and his family moved back to Sioux Falls and he was employed as Warehouse Manager at a new company called North Star Distributing – this company closed in 1991.
In 1992, his family moved to Parker and he did various forms of work at Ernst Hardware, Harold’s Delivery, Parker Filter Plant, Fensel’s Greenhouse. In 1997, he began work at Stan Houston Equipment in Sioux Falls.
After Debra’s death, he sold their house at auction and moved to Turner Village in Parker where he lived until his death. Arvid married Gerry (Koller) Benney of Parker on August 3rd, 2006. He retired April 27, 2007 thus ending his working years. Needless to say, whenever the need for help, Arvid Magnuson answered the call to whoever needed it.
Arvid is survived by his wife Gerry, his children Richard Magnuson, Philadelphia, PA; Elaine (Kevin) Meyers, Draper, SD; Denise (Paul) Brost, Waunakee, WI; Misty (Adam) Klein, Madison, SD; Aaron (Darby) Magnuson, Pierre, SD; 15 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, his step-children Pat (Pam) Benney, Parker, SD; Kathy (Fred) Dehring, Yankton, SD; Tom (Susan) Benney, Tea, SD; brothers-in-law Dennis (Betty) Hansen, Cherokee, IA; Duane (Paula) Koller, Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law Karen Schooley, Casper, WY; Mary (Rick) Rauk, Beaver Creek, MN; Barb Hansen, Yankton, SD; Donna Friman, Loveland, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Debra, his father-in-law Lester Hansen, mother-in-law Dorothy Hansen, his sisters Pauline Smith, Bernice Sletto, Doris Chambliss, brothers-in-law Sam Smith, Bill Chambliss, Orvin Sletto, Dale Hansen, Dave Schooley, John Koller, Dale Koller, Marlyn Koller, Dennis Koller, sisters-in-law Shirley Nolting, Darlene Kehm, Patsy Marso, stepson Mike Benney, and a child in infancy.
In lieu of flowers memorials maybe directed to the American Cancer Society or the Parker United Methodist Church.