Arnold Dean Jones

Arnold Dean Jones, age 87, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones, on February 19, 2026, at Astera Health in Wadena, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Karvonen Funeral Home, Wadena, Minnesota at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Arnold will be laid to rest at the Calvary Cemetery in Wadena, Minnesota with military honors.

Arnold Dean Jones was born on September 7, 1938, in Eagle Bend, Minnesota. He was the fifth of six children born to William H. Jones and Edith E. (Hedin) Jones.

In the spring of 1944, Arnold and his family moved to Wadena, Minnesota. He attended Wadena public schools during the 1944–1945 school years. In 1946, the family moved to the outskirts of Wadena, and Arnold attended a country school in 1947. The family moved again in the spring of 1948 to a home north of Wadena, where Arnold returned to Wadena public schools. He continued his education there until graduating in 1956.

Following graduation, Arnold enlisted in the United States Navy in the summer of 1956. He attended Navy boot camp in Duluth, Minnesota, and upon completion was assigned to the U.S.S. Okanogan, a troop carrier based out of Long Beach, California. During his tour of duty, Arnold traveled to the Far East four times, with visits to Hawaii, China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in September of 1959.

Arnold remained in California working on the railroad from October 1959 until the spring of 1960. He then returned to Wadena before finding employment in Fergus Falls, later moving there that same spring.

It was in Fergus Falls that Arnold found his first love, Lorraine Ann “Punky” Simmons. The couple was married in June of 1961. They later moved to Fargo, where Arnold was working. Over the years, Arnold held several positions, and together they welcomed three children: Jackie, Dean, and Angie.

While Arnold was employed at SuperValue as a warehouse supervisor in Hopkins, Minnesota, the family suffered the tragic loss of their only son, Dean, who passed away from a massive heart attack. After working there for 28 years, Arnold retired in the spring of 1998, and he and his wife moved to Belgrade, Minnesota.

After spending two months in the hospital in 2003, Arnold’s wife, Lorraine, passed away on February 22, 2004.

In the summer of 2005, Arnold reconnected with one of his former classmates, Doris E. (Breuer) Olson. They became engaged in the fall of 2005 and were united in marriage in December of 2006. The couple enjoyed life to the fullest and made their home in Wadena.

Arnold is survived by his wife Doris; daughters: Jackie (Jeff)  and Angie (Dan), grandchildren: Eric (Stephanie), Ashley (Mikey), Sarah (Ryan), Ben, Hannah (Brandon), Deanna (Mitchell), John (Cassie); great-grandchildren: Nova, Chevelle, Avrie, Hunter, Mikayla, Annabelle, Jacob, Benny, Carter and Sawyer; stepchildren: Tom, Deanna, Debbie, and Jim (Kim), Bob; step-grandchildren: Tiff (Joe), Scott (Becky), Toni (Tony), Kimberly, Christina (Justen), J.D. (Jessica) Lindsey (Anthony), John, Bobby Doug; step great-grandchildren:  Donny, Luciana, Whitney, Roman, Jeremiah, and Jade.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Edith; son Dean, wife, Lorraine “Punky”; parents-in-law, Pete and Ione; siblings, Robert, Orville, Marvin, Arlene and Buck (Melvin).

Arnold enjoyed the outdoors and time with family when possible.

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