Clinton "Arne" Arnold Hellevang, 86, of Sisseton, SD, passed away June 21 at the Tekakwitha Care Center, Sisseton.
Arne was born March 24, 1923 to Abel and Elise (Hustad) Hellevang. He was baptized, confirmed and a life long member of Hope and Buffalo Lake Lutheran Churches. He attended Long Hollow School, rural Sisseton, through the 8th grade. He worked on the family farm until entering the army during World War II, and again when he returned from the service. He trained in the horse cavalry at Fort Riley, KS in 1945 and then served as a surgical technician in an army hospital in Osaka, Japan until being honorably discharged in January 1947.
He married Mildred "Millie" Anderson on October 19, 1954. They purchased a farm on the shore of Buffalo Lake, rural Eden, SD where they raised Hereford cattle. He also farmed together with his brother, Henry, who lived on the Hellevang home farm. Arne took pleasure in helping with his sons' 4-H livestock projects. Their picturesque farmstead was often the site of extended family gatherings and picnics. For many years he was a foster parent and township supervisor.
Arne is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Merna) Hellevang, Fargo, ND; Dale (Marcia) Hellevang, Fargo, ND; and Gary (Lisa) Hellevang, Sioux Falls, SD; two daughters, April Hayes and friend Theresa Hart, Tucson, AZ; and Prairie Hellevang, Sisseton, SD; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica), Brandon, Lindsay, Brian (Hannah), Kyle, Eric, and Abbey Hellevang; one sister, Mabel Lampke, Sequim, WA; numerous nieces and nephews and very special friends Les King, Sharyn Feather, and Lesley Renville.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Millie, in November 2008; his parents; three sisters, Ella Hellevang, Agnes Rice and Alice Hellevang; and four brothers, Melvin, Henry, Clifford, and Orville Hellevang; brother-in-law Bill Lampke, sister-in-law Lorraine Hellevang, and nephew Laverne Rice.
Public visitation is 5:30-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 23 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, 516 E Cherry St, Sisseton. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2009, Grace Lutheran Church, 421 3rd Ave E, Sisseton, SD with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Sisseton cemetery.