Arlo Pretzer , 85, Minot, died Thursday, May 28, 2015 in his home.

Arlo was born May 24, 1930, in Voltaire, ND to Ernest and Alda (Johnson) Pretzer. He graduated from Velva High School in 1949 and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, for two years prior to his enlistment into the US Air Force.

Arlo entered active duty on August 1, 1951. He served his country honorably during the Korean War in Germany until his separation on July 11, 1955. Following his discharge, he attended Minot State, receiving a teaching degree and the University Of Colorado School Of Medicine, completing a degree in Physical Therapy in 1958. While in Colorado, he trained at the Craig Rehabilitation Center in Englewood. Arlo was commissioned into the US Army in 1959, serving as a Lieutenant in the Army Medical Specialists Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1963.

He returned to Minot in 1958 and began his employment at Trinity Hospital where he worked for more than 40 years He also worked at the VA hospital for several years. He ended his time at Trinity Hospital as Director of Rehabilitation Services. Over the years, Arlo started and developed programs in Minot and around the country that included Speech Therapy, Sports Medicine, Respiratory Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation and countless others. He and Terry Eckman piloted the Wellness Center and Seniorcise program and he served on the selection committee for the UND School of Physical Therapy for many years. After he retired, he worked at the Tri-Life Pain Center for ten additional years as a Physical Therapist where he expanded his therapy methodology to Tai Chi in the water.

Arlo was once married to Margaret Essig. This union was blessed with three children, Rhonda, Karen and James. He married Patty Seright on June 15, 1973 in Granville, ND. This union added a daughter, Nicki to their growing family.

He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Rotary Club, VFW, and Easter Seal Society, all of Minot. He served on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Special Olympics, Gym Dandy and Headstart for many years. Arlo provided many services over the years to the Minot auditorium and its recreation department for activities, tournaments and national events.

Throughout the years, he enjoyed a variety of activities that included bowling, golfing, softball and archery. Each would take a back seat to his love of relaxing by the pool in his back yard.

Arlo's family includes loving wife of 42 years, Patty Pretzer, Minot; children, Rhonda (Donavon) Willenbring, Minot, ND, Karen (Darryl) Wesloh, Minneapolis, MN, Jim Pretzer, Bismarck and Nicki (Aaron Goedtke) Pretzer, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Dana (Lisa) Hartleib, Ricky (Jenny) Hartleib, Justin (Alisa) Hartleib, Willow Goedtke, and Sierra and Wyatt Willenbring; great-grandchildren, Maverick, Weston and Gavin Hartleib and Kaden Herrington; sisters, Bonny Groshong, Portland, OR and Almira Strate, Peoria, AZ and brother, Wallace (Shari) Pretzer, Sartell, MN and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

Arlo was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Alda Pretzer.

Celebration of Life Service: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Granville Community Cemetery, Granville, ND
Visitation: Monday, June 1, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.