Arnold “Arnie” Block
Saturday, May 4, 1940
Date of Death:
Friday, November 22, 2013
Age:
73 years old
Visitation
Date: Sunday November 24, 2013
Time: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Prayer Service: 3:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Monday November 25, 2013
Time: 9:30 am
Location: St. Bernards Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Monday November 25, 2013
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Bernards Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: St. Bridget's Cemetery [ view map ]
Saturday, May 4, 1940
Date of Death:
Friday, November 22, 2013
Age:
73 years old
Saturday, May 4, 1940
Date of Death:
Friday, November 22, 2013
Age:
73 years old
Arnold “Arnie” Block
Arnold Lawrence Block, age 73 of Stewartville, passed away peacefully at his home on November 22, 2013.
Arnie was born on May 4, 1940 in Alton, IA to Michael and Florence Block. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and high school in Ashton, IA. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He attended Worthington Junior College and the University of South Dakota in Brookings, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1968. On August 21, 1965 he married Margaret “Midge” Roetzel in Adrian, MN. Arnie worked for IBM Rochester from 1968 to 1996. After retirement, he attained his Master Electrician’s license. He worked for a time at Kuntz Electric. He later was the Maintenance Supervisor for Resurrection Catholic Church until 2011. Arnie was very active in his church. He was involved in Marriage Encounter, Pre-Marriage Prep, Prayer Group, RCIA, Serra Club, Teams of Our Lady, and a member on the board of directors at IHM Seminary. He was very involved with the Building and Grounds committee at Resurrection Catholic Church. Arnie could fix anything, and made it his goal to make projects as precise as possible. He was always willing to offer a helping hand to those in need.
He is survived by his wife Midge of 48 years, his children, Darren (Michelle) Block of Florence, TX, Nathan (Jeannine) Owen-Block of St. Cloud, MN, Jason (Heather) Block of Evanston, IL, Sarah (Rick) Vande Loo of Stewartville, MN; grandchildren Destiny, Devon, R.J., Justin, Jordan, Becca, Carmen, Charlie, Ben, Max, Edie, Flora, Zander, Sam, Alex, Noah; sisters Jeanie (Frank) Roetzel of Sartell, MN, Loretta Kohles of Yankton, SD; twin brother Irvin (Judy) Block of Ashton, IA, brothers Gerald Block of Sheldon, IA, and Howard (Sue) Block of Adel, IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marjorie Roder and Rosie Block, two brothers-in-law Albert Roder and Jim Kohles, and one sister-in-law Mary Jo Block.
The funeral Mass for Arnie will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:30AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Stewartville, MN officiated by Rev. John P. Wilmot. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 24th 2013 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home (Rochester) from 3:00PM to 6:00PM (with prayer service held at 3:00PM) and one hour prior to the funeral at St. Bernard. Burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Simpson, MN.
Memorials are preferred to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, MN or Glenmary Home Missioners of Cincinnati, OH.
Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Arnold “Arnie” Block has received the following condolences.
Dear Midge and family,
Very sorry to hear of Arnie's illness and passing. Arnie was my first manager at IBM, and he will always be remembered. It's been a few years since I had seen him, but he was always a great gentle and kind person. Our prayers go out to you and family. I am sure there is a special place with our Lord for Arnie.
Brad Brech and Family
Our sincere sympathy to Arnie's family. We were on the Community Clothesline Board. We enjoyed Arnie
very much.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo & Bill Galligan
Dear Midge and family,
Our sincere condolences! We grieve with you but know God has greater things for Arnie to do now for his family and God's Kingdom from above with his new body that he is given, promised in Scripture.
Providentially, I just happened to look at my email (with my infrequent use of the computer) and saw Arnie at the top of the list via a Serra announcement. Thanks Serra!... Maria (now 14) remembers him as being a very nice man! I will never forget how he blessed all mothers, dads and grandparents in the CRY ROOM with his electrical skills and installed a volume control for us to hear Mass against all odds. We also appreciated his efforts in installing another TV screen for a Bible Study to play in two rooms, one for the moms with a crying babies. He was clever, never said no, tried to make dreams come true and always succeeded, if not, most of the time! He always had a" twinkle" in his eye as a messenger from the Lord with his nice smile and willingness to SERVE.
Our prayers are with Arnie's soul and you, Midge, as you enter your new journey. We hope one day soon you'll want to explore the beautiful Sonoran Desert in the Valley of the Sun and stay with us. Bring a friend if you like as well as "as many" Fathers, who might like to "defrost" and increase their Vit. D levels, especially Fr. Schmitz.:) It is very HOLY here in Scottsdale/Phoenix Arizona. Bishop Olmsted, whose ancestors founded Olmsted County in MN, shepherds us.
In the Spirit of Christ's love with hugs,
Laura, Win, Maria (14), Nicholas (21) and Tiffany(23)
Angles were, indeed, called home this November. My mother on the 20th and now, Arnie. These two new angels are already at work, as there would have been no way for me to stumble across this notice on Arnie, otherwise. Rosie was my best friend. She is a part of me to this very day. I am overjoyed that my mom has already seen Rosie again and now, Arnie joins Rosie, as well. To the Block family, I offer my deepest sympathies for your loss. I feel I still know the family, today. Rosie was the one who really opened the door to my coming to know our Lord and Savior. You will all draw comfort from your very strong faith....and smile at the thought of joining them, when His will brings about the call home. May God's grace guide you all through your sorrow.
So sorry to read of Arnie's death. May you take comfort in all the good memories and feel God's presence. Our sympathies. Sincerely, Tom and Sandy Shanahan
Dear Midge and family,
I just received a message from Linda (Hale) with this news...we are in Arizona
We want to send our sincere condolences and prayers at this difficult time. You know that you are in our prayers. Please know that our thoughts are with all of you. We will remember Arnie for his always positive, pleasant attitude.
Don and Barb Gleason
God has taken one of his angels home. When I think of Uncle Arnie, I think of his warm smiles and easy personality. It was always easy to visit with him. He will be missed, but is in a better place. I am unable to give come and give you a hug in person, but know that you are in my/our thoughts & prayers. Love to you all, Deanna (Kohles) Fischbach & family