Arnold Lawrence Gaasterland

1928 - 2024

Arnold Lawrence Gaasterland

July 17, 1928 - September 1, 2024

BILLINGS - Arnold Lawrence Gaasterland, 96, passed away on September 1, 2024, in Billings, MT. He was born on July 17, 1928 in Pennock, MN to Cornelius and Florence (Johnson) Gaasterland of Clara City, MN. He attended Clara City High School, graduating in 1942.

Arnold joined the U.S. Navy on August 30, 1951 and served honorably until August 29, 1956. He was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL for most of his term. Also stationed at the base was Patricia Greenan of New Braintree, MA. They met, fell in love and were married in 1952. This year on October 18 they would have been married for 72 years.

Arnold and Pat moved to Brooklyn Park, MN, where they raised six children and remained until their retirement; moving to Colorado Springs, CO and eventually ending up in Billings.

Arnold battled medical issues for the last couple years of his life and Pat cared for him with unfaltering dedication until the end. He passed peacefully with her and his youngest daughter at his side.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; and sister, Audrey Emmen of Fergus Falls, MN; six children including: Sheila (Hielke) Hebers of Phoenix, AZ, Karen Matthews of Booneville, AR, James (Jackie) Gaasterland of Custer, SD, Lawrence (Debbie) Gaasterland of Sunnyvale, CA, Lisa (Gary) Leonard of Prior Lake, MN, and Denise Fortune of Billings, MT. He was grandfather to 17; and great-grandfather to 20, all of whom he loved dearly.

A remembrance service will be held at a later date.