Livestream of the Service: will be available by accessing https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

David John Arneson, 82, Minot, ND died Friday, November 6, 2020 in a Minot Hospital from COVID-19 Pneumonia and sudden cardiac arrest.

David was born September 6, 1938 in Wells County, North Dakota, the son of George Arnold and Petronella (Sander) Arneson.   He was raised on the family farm near Selz, North Dakota and was educated in Selz.   He graduated from Harvey High School in 1956 and graduated from the Moler Barber College in Fargo in 1958.

David was united in marriage to Rita Ann Schmitz on April 7, 1958 at Harvey, it was "Love at First Sight."   He would often snuggle up to his wife for a warm hug and a kiss of affection.  They made their home in Minot throughout the years raising their 8 children. He worked as a Barber first in Minot, following in Harvey, Ruthville, and the NCO Club on the MAFB for 10 years.  In 1980 until he retired in 2012 he was the owner operator of Dave's Barber Shop in Minot. He worked tirelessly 6 days a week until he retired after being in the haircutting business for 55 years. During that time he served as president of the ND Barbers Association for several years.

David was a member of Little Flower and St Leo's Catholic Churches in Minot.   His faith was very important to him as a Catholic, and he seldom missed going to Mass with his loving wife Rita where they frequently served together as ushers.  He loved seeing the architecture of churches when he was away from home.  David and Rita's favorite pastime was Ballroom Dancing, Square Dancing, and Round Dancing.  People always commented on how well they waltzed together.  He loved old cars, fast cars, and fast old cars.  Many Sundays he would drive the family back home to Harvey to spend with relatives and trust me, it was a fast trip.

David loved telling stories of his youth about riding his dad's white Arabian horses to school, and in blizzards how the horses followed the telephone lines back to the farm.

David's whistle always got everyone's attention and his children knew to get home without delay.  He loved having his children and grandchildren over. Christmas Eve we always gathered after church for a home cooked meal.  If the grandchildren would ask if they could stay overnight he would ask if they were going to sleep through the night.

David was an avid deer and bird hunter.  He was proud to pass on his expertise to his sons and grandsons.  A good many 'lessons' were an exhilarating experience… probably a '…don't ask, don't tell…' moment.  He always brought plenty of summer sausage sandwiches and Oreo Cookies to share.  There are many fond memories of a tailgate 'lunch' watching a North Dakota sunset at the end of a productive day.  When David went fishing for walleye on the boat, he would also want to keep anything he caught, the small mouth bass, golden eyes, and the northern pike fish.  He would bring his motor home camping but preferred watching TV to sitting at the campfire.

He served as an officer/board member of the Minot Rifle and Pistol Club.

He was an early riser, most mornings he made himself a breakfast before anyone was up.  He loved watching the sun rise.  He and Rita survived a bad pickup rollover accident in 1998, but as a stubborn man it didn't slow him down for long.

The TV remote control was always in his hand; it was best not to get too interested in what was on because he would be changing the channel often.  It was a wonder that he never got cable TV.  When asked he just said "NO"; probably thought it a mind control conspiracy.  Asking again became a 'Shoot the Messenger Moment' (and there were more than one of those).  He loved playing games, especially card games; he was competitive and didn't like to lose. He learned to play the piano and accordion when he was young and often shared his music throughout years.

He will be missed by his immediate and extended loving family, friends, business associates, and customers.  It was very common to run into one of his former customers on virtually any outing.

Dave's loving family includes, wife of 62 years, Rita Arneson, Minot; 8 children: Julie (Brian) Kossan, West Fargo, ND, George (Michaella) Arneson, Fargo, ND, Sheri (Larry) Volkert, Minot, James (JoAnn) Arneson, Brooklyn Park, MN, Mary Copeland, Glenwood Springs, CO, Tammy (Greg) Norby, Arvada, CO, Wally Arneson, Arvada, CO & Cliften (Kimberly) Arneson Selkirk, NY; 14 living Grandchildren: Conrad (McKenzi) Kossan, Kenton (Megan) Kossan, Elizabeth (Jacob) Box, David Arneson, Adam (Brittany) Volkert, Carrie Killeen, Rebecca Arneson, Nicholas Arneson, Sterling Copeland, Forest Rappe, Charlee Norby, Daniel Norby, Brady Arneson, and Samantha Arneson.  8 Great Grandchildren: Nova Kossan, Thane Kossan, Bridger Kossan, Declan Box, Nolan Box, Callie Volkert, Sophie Volkert, Sariah Copeland; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Robert Lee Arneson, Paul Richard Arneson and Mary Jean Hammond; and grandson, Devin Copeland.

Private service: Due to COVID, there will be a Private Mass of Christian Burial held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.

Livestream of the Service : will be available by accessing https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

Public Visitation : Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot with social distancing guidelines and masks recommended.

Public Graveside service: 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the organization of the donor's choice.

David Arneson Flowers