Arnold Terhark

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Feb. 14, 1935-Feb. 2, 2009

BALATON - Services for Arnold "Arnie" H. Terhark, 73, of Balaton will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Balaton Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Balaton Methodist Church with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. and continuing one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be at the Lakeside Cemetery in Balaton, followed by a luncheon at the Balaton Community Center. The Almlie Funeral Home of Balaton is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.almliefh.com

He died Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at the Avera-Marshall Medical Center in Marshall.

He was born Feb. 14, 1935, to Henry and Florence (Jorgensen) Terhark on a farm north of Balaton. He attended country school and as a young boy moved with his family to a farm south of Balaton in Murray County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Balaton Methodist Church. When Arnie was 14 he moved into Balaton to live with his grandmother and attended Balaton Public Schools, graduating from Balaton High School in 1953. After graduating he went to work for Miller Chevrolet in Balaton for a couple years before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956.

Arnie and June Wendorf were married July 19, 1957, at the Tracy Lutheran Church and they made their home on military bases until he received his honorable discharge. They returned to live in Balaton and Arnie went to work for Miller Chev in Balaton. Then later Arnie became part owner in A&M Standard for a short time, before he purchased the business in 1972 and it became known as Arnie's Standard Station. He sold the business to his son-in-law when he retired in 2000, but it has remained Arnie's Standard to this day. In his retirement, Arnie worked part time for Cenex in Balaton in many different capacities.

Arnie was very active over the years, in his church and his community. He was a life long member of the Balaton Methodist Church, where he served on the church council, holding many different officer positions, as SPPRC chairman. He served on the Balaton City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Lyon County Park Board, and served on the Balaton Fire Department and Ambulance Service for more than 20 years, during which he served as fire chief. He was a member of the Balaton American Legion, holding the position of gaming manager for many years. Arnie enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards with his family and he loved following his grandchildren in their many school activities and sporting events.

Survivors include his wife, June Terhark of Balaton; four daughters, Kathy (and Dennis) Mitchell of Garvin, Debbie (and Kevin) Stibbe of Balaton, Becky Johnson of Balaton, and Sherry (and Mike) Carter of Marshall; seven grandchildren, Kyle and Chad Stibbe, Josh and Katie Carter, Justin and Jordan Johnson and Nick Mitchell; one brother, Jerry (and Beth) Terhark of Tyler; four sisters, Mary Carlson of Rushford, Betty Olthoff of Sioux Falls, S.D., Carol Fielder of Tuttle, Okla., and Barbara (and Chuck) Dokka of Oakdale; one sister-in-law, Kathy Terhark of Amery; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.