Arnold "Arnie" Zochert

ARNOLD CARL OTTO ZOCHERT was born to William and Christina (Marxen) Zochert on October 14, 1918 in Wheaton, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm near Wheaton where he attended country school. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wheaton. After he completed his education at Wheaton High School, he worked at the Wheaton Coop Creamery Poultry Department. On January 2, 1941, he moved to Dawson, Minnesota to operate the Shell Egg and Poultry Plant for the Dawson Coop Creamery Association. On August 6, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Air Force. On October 2, 1943, he was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Finke at Scott Field, Illinois. Following their marriage, they lived in Springfield, Illinois where Arnie was stationed. On December 10, 1943, he was sent to the South Pacific as an Oxygen Plant Operator. He served in Miline Bay, New Guinea, Darwin, Australia, Biak Island, and Clark Field, Philippine Islands. After his discharge from the service at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin on January 6, 1946, Arnie and Gwen moved to Dawson where Arnie resumed work at the poultry plant. On July 2, 1952, he became employed as the Poultry and Egg Inspector for the Department of Agriculture, and they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. He worked in this capacity for 39 years until his retirement in December, 1989. In July, 1992, he began working part-time at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone. Arnie continued to help Hartquist until his failing eyesight forced him to retire. After his diagnosis, Arnie moved out to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. Arnie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone at the age of 99 years, eight months, and 19 days.

Arnie was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone where he served as Church President, Head Usher, Youth Counselor, and where he taught Sunday School. Another roll that Arnie often played at church was that of “unofficial” greeter, welcoming all families and friends to church each Sunday. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 and the VFW. He was a charter member of the Pipestone Golden K Kiwanis Club and served as the club's first president. He enjoyed fishing, volunteering, and woodworking. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Janice Stueven and her husband Daryl of Pipestone, Minnesota; his son, Dennis Zochert and his wife Ronda of Mankato, Minnesota; two grandsons, Mark Stueven and his wife Kammy of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Jared Zochert and his wife Latisha of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Teresa Schelhaas of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Rachel Dirks and her husband Zachary of St. Peter, Minnesota; and five great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters, Austin, Aspen and Dawson Schelhaas, Bret, Wyatt and Mariah Stueven, Ella, and Benajmin Dirks. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gwen, and his parents.