Arlin H. Pfingsten

IN MEMORY OF
ARLIN H. PFINGSTEN

BORN
August 8, 1941
Worthington, MN
PASSED AWAY
October 19, 2013
Sioux Falls, SD


FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 26, 2013
Boyden-Hull Elementary School; Boyden, Iowa
CLERGY
Jeff Thayer, Titus Lehman, Dean Dykstra
Greg Willert, Dennis Hause

Visitation with the family present will be
Friday, October 25, 2013 from 5:00 – 7:00pm
at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Boyden, Iowa

MUSIC

“In Jesus’ Hands”
Sung by: JoAnna Douglas, Lynae Dykstra
Thane Nelson, Curtis Harthorn
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“How Fresh and Green” Service
“Where All Is Peaceful” Graveside
Pianist: Lynae Dykstra

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
John Aberson Daryl Mouw
Dean Oldenkamp Ivan Dorhout George Beyer
Scott Doorenbos Mike Doorenbos Rodney Dykstra
CASKET BEARERS
John Beyer Delbert Beyer
Roger Jensen Darwin Huls
Harry Andrews John Koolstra

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Sheridan Township Cemetery ~ Boyden, Iowa
Military Graveside Service by the: William Monster
Post # 272 of the American Legion in Boyden, Iowa

After the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family for lunch in the Boyden-Hull Elementary Gym.

Arrangements under the care of the:
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Boyden, Iowa

ARLIN H. PFINGSTEN
Arlin Henry Pfingsten, age 72, of Boyden passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Sanford Sioux Falls Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was born on August 8, 1941 the second child of Henry and Lenore (Miller) Pfingsten in Worthington, MN and grew up on a farm near Grove City, MN with his sister and three brothers. After graduating from Grove City High School in 1959, he attended the University of Minnesota and then joined the US Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, CA and trained as a naval pilot. Arlin was selected to join the Naval Academy in Pensacola, FL. When his father was injured in a farm accident, Arlin was honorably discharged and he returned to Minnesota to help on the farm. He later joined the sales team for New Holland Farm Equipment Company in New Holland, PA. Through the course of his employment with New Holland, Arlin traveled the United States and Canada extensively.
On June 29, 1968 Arlin married Ruth Elaine Doorenbos at her parents’ farm near Boyden, IA. They first lived in Storm Lake and then Carroll, IA while Arlin continued to work for New Holland. In 1973, Arlin and Ruth began farming near Sanborn, IA and then moved to a farm closer to Boyden, IA. Later they moved to Ruth’s childhood farm raising hogs, soybeans, and corn. Along with a tiling and seed business, Arlin and son, John, operated Pfingsten Custom Chopping.
At the tender age of 11, Arlin committed his life to the Saviour. He had a deep, unwavering faith and taught his children and grandchildren to love the Lord. He was a very loving and giving person and was always willing to help anyone in need. Building clocks and traveling were a few of his favorite past times. Arlin and Ruth took many vacations with family and friends, enjoying Alaskan and Panama cruises, several cross country train trips, winters in Texas, and fishing in Canada with his brothers. Arlin also taught his children to be civic and community minded, serving on several boards including the bank and coop boards.
Arlin is survived by his wife Ruth, his five children, Laura (Todd) Eicher of Monticello, WI; Sarah (Brian) Carter of St. Cloud, MN; John (Lindsey) Pfingsten of Boyden; Anne Phillips of Boyden; and Mary (Patrick) Henry of Missouri Valley, IA, and his nine grandchildren, Allison, Skylar, and Emma Eicher, Jonathan and Lauren Phillips, Landen and Baby Pfingsten, and Ryanna and Adalynn Henry. He is also survived by his sister Anita Weiland of Yankton, SD; and brothers Walter (Virginia) Pfingsten of Willmar, MN; Robert (Carol) Pfingsten of Atwater, MN; and Alvin Pfingsten of Becker, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, a brother-in-law, Harold Weiland, and a sister-in-law, Shellea Pfingsten.