Joseph Arends

Joseph P. Arends, 78, Fargo, ND passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at his home following a three and a half year battle with cancer. Joe was born September 12, 1931 to George and Leona (Brommenschenkel) Arends on the family farm near Perley, MN. He graduated from Borup High School in 1950. He married Muriel Eagan on May 26, 1956 in Argyle, MN. They made their home in Fargo. Joe was a self taught musician. He taught himself to play the accordion at the age of 17 and later took lessons. At the age of 20 he started his own band, Joe and the T-V Rhythmaires. The band played Old and New Time music for many weddings, township celebrations and barn dances during the fifties and sixties. Joe was instrumental in starting the Muskie, Inc., FM Chapter in 1968. He was voted Mr. Muskie of the FM Chapter in 1981. During his fishing career he caught and released hundreds of muskies on Leech Lake, MN. He was recently interviewed and featured in December 2009 issue of Muskie, Inc. His good friend Doc Cotton said it best, “the best place to fish on the lake was in the back of Joe’s boat.” He loved hunting mule deer on the ranch he stayed at in western North Dakota. He loved reading. His favorite topic was reading anything on WWII. He was a member of and a volunteer at the Fargo Air Museum. He enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends. He loved cooking and was known for his spaghetti sauce. He collected John Deere model tractors and vintage WWII model airplanes. He loved a good cigar. He was able to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime; making friends from many walks of life around the country. Joe is survived by his two daughters: Deb (Andy) Pedersen, Karen (Rick) Johnson, both of Fargo: his 6 grandchildren: Brenna (Nick) Wasche, Antioch, TN, Brooke Pedersen, Joe Pedersen, Corey Johnson, Kaitlyn Johnson and Brady Johnson, and great-granddaughter Paige Pedersen, all of Fargo. Five sisters: Mary (Pete) Gagner, Edmonds, WA, Rose (Charles) Klinck, Mt. Lake Terrace, WA, Bernie (Miles) Sobolik, Deer River, MN, Carolyn Arends, West Hartford, CT, Jan (Jim) Hallberg, Battle Lake, MN. Four brothers: Donald Arends, Bottineau, ND, Gerald (Irene) Arends, Perley, MN, Harold (Diane) Arends, Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jack (Sherry) Arends, Audubon, MN. Brothers-in-law: Earl Schlick, Mahnoman, MN, Gerald (Shirley) Eagan, Morgantown, WV. Joe was preceded in death by his wife Muriel, infant daughter Mary, his parents, sister Cecelia Schlick, and sister-in-law Julie Arends. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 5-7pm at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, with a prayer service at 7pm. Funeral Services for Joe will be Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 2:30pm with visitation one hour before the service at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. Burial will be at Holy Cross North Cemetery, Fargo, ND. A special thank you to Joanie G. from Hospice of the Red River Valley for giving Joe wonderful care during the last weeks of his life. Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND