Harold J. Arnold, 91,of McIntosh passed away on March 16, 2023.
Harold was born April 18, 1931 to John and Margaret (Huber) Arnold in rural McIntosh, the oldest of five children. He went to country school and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1950. He was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and served in Germany. After an honorable discharge, Harold graduated from South Dakota State University with an Agricultural Engineering degree, a minor in Mathematics and his pilot’s license.
While home for a weekend from college, Harold’s sister Gloria introduced him to her teacher friend, Lois Zimmer. Harold asked Lois to dance and he must have been impressed because the next weekend he rented a plane in Brookings and flew back to McIntosh to ask Lois for a date to a Morristown dance. Harold and Lois were married August 19, 1961.
In 1966, Harold and Lois, along with Wesley and Corrine Arnold, formed Arnold Brothers Arrow Five
April 18, 1931 – March 16, 2023
Ranch. Harold was introduced to the Simmental breed of cattle while stationed in Germany. Arnold Brothers were one of the first cattle breeders to bring the Simmental breed to the United States.
Arnold Brothers raised and sold Simmental cattle for 35 years and became well known in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their annual bull sale grew over the years and became a major event with bidders coming from all over the country.
Harold’s family and Wes’s family were blessed with a great friendship over their ranching years.
Harold served on the Soil Conservation Service Board, Corson County Commissioner Board, SD State Simmental Board, Federal Land Bank Board, Corson County Fair Board, and was an active member of St. Bonaventure Parish.
Harold retired in 2005 and started the next phase of his life. Traveling and collecting antique cars and tractors were his favorite hobbies. For a few years, Harold drove a 1926 Model-T Ford to high school. Later he restored the Model-T along with many other antique cars and tractors that originally belonged to the Arnold family. Harold also loved purchasing old cars and would often surprise Lois with a new find. Harold was proud to show off his car collection at parades and car tours with friends. He belonged to three car clubs, traveled to many states and made lifelong friends.
Harold and Lois traveled all over the United States as well as to Mexico, Canada, Europe, Russia, China, Ireland, Australia and more.
He is survived by his wife Lois of 61 years; daughters Carleen (Leon) Mack of Watertown, Beth (Kyle) Jensen of Mobridge, Jennifer (Darrin) Thurston of Mound, MN, and Lisa (Todd) Jensen of Spearfish; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings Violet (Herb) Geigle, Esther Mehl, and Wes (Corrine) Arnold.
Harold is preceded in death by his parents, sister Gloria Lauinger, and brothers-in-law Clint Mehl and Dick Lauinger.
A celebration of his life with a Sharing Memories Wake (no formal service) will be held Friday, March 24, 2023 from 4-6 p.m. CT at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. His funeral will be Saturday, March 25 at 10 a.m. MT at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in McIntosh with lunch to immediately follow. Burial will be Monday, March 27 at 9:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers Harold would want donations to be made to the McIntosh Ambulance, McIntosh Fire Department or St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in his honor.
(Lois Arnold’s address is 4580 Coleman St. #1323, Bismarck, ND 58503.)