Arlin Midthus

Arlin Midthus, age 81, of Cresco, Iowa passed away on December 16, 2025, at Accura Healthcare in Cresco following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Arlin Duane Midthus was born on July 4, 1944, to Arthur and Alice (Stinson) Midthus in Howard County, Iowa. He attended country school in the Locust and Highlandville areas. He graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1962. Following graduation Arlin attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. He continued his education in Ames at Iowa State University. After college he began working for the Winneshiek County road department. Arlin was the assistant to the county engineer, mostly focusing on survey work. His working years were cut short when mental illness took over.
On November 23, 2004, Arlin married Marlys Hoppe at First Lutheran Church in Cresco. They enjoyed almost 13 years together prior to Marlys' passing in 2017.
Arlin enjoyed spending time outdoors, fishing, camping and picnicking. He had several memorable car trips with family members driving across the country, putting on as many as 5,800 miles in a single adventure. He was a perfectionist and very talented at embroidery. Following a stroke, which affected his eyesight, he began bead work. He enjoyed feeding and watching the birds out his window.
Survivors include his siblings LaVonne Donlan of Decorah, IA and Larry (Deb) Midthus of Cresco, IA, nieces and nephew: Deon (Tracy) Donlan, Melissa Midthus, Brian (Michelle) Midthus and Michelle Donlan; great-nieces and nephews: Samuel, Dashel, Finnegan, McKenzie, Kathlene, Kaitlyn, Alexis, Mackenzie and Madison; along with several cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlys, brother in-law Dale Donlan and nephews Danny Donlan and Darin Donlan.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Schmelzer Funeral Home in Cresco (formerly Lindstrom). Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Orleans Cemetery in rural Ridgeway, IA. Schmelzer Funeral Home in Cresco is assisting the family.