Glenn C. Arneson

Glenn C. Arneson, age 93, of Hayti, SD, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Village of Harmony Hill. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at New Hope Lutheran Church in rural Hayti. Pastor Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by Steph Sauder as organist. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service. This service will be live streamed via our website.
Visitation will be at the New Hope Lutheran Church in rural Hayti on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Burial will be at New Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Hayti. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mitchell McNamara, Jen Baloun, Chantelle McCoy, Christina Chitwood, and all the great and great great grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Jason Arneson, Monte Casper, Bryan Baloun, Tyler McCoy, Keith Konold, William Chitwood and Jared Baloun.
Glenn was born on January 23, 1931, to Clarence and Pearl (Lindstrom) Arneson at the farm homesteaded by his grandparents Alef and Mary (Hanson) Arneson. He contracted polio when he was 2 years old. That caused his left leg to be shorter but he never let that slow him down. Glenn was baptized at home and confirmed in the New Hope Lutheran Church. He attended country school for eight years, attended Hayti High School for two years, then attended Lake Norden High School for two years where he graduated. He got a degree for electrical training from Southern State College at Springfield, SD.
After working a few months in St. Paul, he returned to South Dakota to establish Arneson Electric. He married Judy Belkonen from Lake Norden on November 23, 1952, at First Lutheran Church in Lake Norden. They set up their farm home across the road from Glenn's childhood home. They moved their house in 1953, then added buildings and trees during the 70+ years they lived there. They were parents to five children.
Glenn continued to build up his electrical business which covered many miles. At first, they were wiring farms that were being connected to REA. Glenn lived to see Arneson Electric, Inc. develop into wiring large dairies and computer technology. When licenses were required, Glenn was issued Electrical Contractor EC-7. Glenn was named South Dakota Electrical Council person of the year in 2015. Glenn and Judy also raised crops and some livestock. They sold Arneson Electric to their son in 1990.
Glenn belonged to the New Hope Lutheran church for most of his life. He held several offices in the church and the Cemetery Association.
Glenn and Judy traveled to many states and countries including Hawaii, Alaska, England and the Scandinavian countries. Everyone knew Glenn's favorite sport was fishing. He and Judy did lots of fishing and camping along with family and friends. He made fishing lures and enjoyed reading. He attended many sports competitions for family and friends.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Judy Arneson, Hayti, SD; three daughters, Deb (Terry) Chitwood, San Diego, CA, Kathy (Todd) Casper, Lake Preston, SD, Jill (Mark) McNamara, Hazel, SD; two sons, Tim Arneson, Lake Norden, SD, Kent Arneson, Hayti, SD; seven grandchildren, Jen (Bryan) Baloun, Jason (Teresa) Arneson, William (Chea) Chitwood, Christina (Tom) Parkin, Monte Casper, Chantelle (Tyler) McCoy, Mitchell McNamara; thirteen great grandchildren, Curstie (Keith) Konold, Megan, Jared, Emma, Wyatt, Isabella, Zoey, Sophia, Caleb, Arabella, Tayrek, Tyce, and Khaleesi; three great-great grandchildren, Jase, Khloe, Laurel; one brother, Charles Arneson, one step brother, Raymond Kangas; four sisters-in-law, Joan Arneson, Carolyn Childs, Annette Belkonen, Vicki Belkonen.
He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Pearl Arneson; step-father, Robert Kangas, daughter in law, Char Arneson; Grandson, Marshall McNamara; three brothers; Owen Arneson, Baine Arneson, and Ray Arneson and a stepbrother Roger Kangas; three sisters-in-law, Roslyn Arneson, Marilyn Arneson, Evelyn Arneson; parents-in-law Andrew and Gladys Belkonen; brother-in-law, Jim Belkonen; and sister-in-law, Beth Belkonen.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti.
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