Arnold R. Gathje

Arnold R. "Arnie" Gathje age 72 of Pine Island died suddenly on Friday, January 04, 2008 at his home in Pine Island. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Pine Island with Reverend John Torris Lohre and Reverend Kip Groettum officiating. Burial will be in Pine Island Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 7, 2008 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Mahler Chapel in Pine Island and on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Arnold R. Gathje was born on September 20, 1935 in Stewartville, MN to Raymond and Martha (nee Brandt) Gathje. He grew up in rural Stewartville and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1952. Arnold worked several different jobs and on October 18, 1958 he married Bonnie Amos in Stewartville. They made their home in Stewartville and Arnold started working as a painter. In the mid-1960's he started a home construction business called Gathje Homes. Arnold previously owned the Laundromat in Pine Island, the A&W in Pine Island. In the 1970's he started the Pine Island Cabinet Shop. Arnold enjoyed serving on the EDA board and woodworking. He was an active member of Saint Paul Lutheran Church, where he had served on the building committee, the church board and taught Sunday school. Arnold is survived by his wife, Bonnie; one daughter, Corinne (Al) Nisius of Duluth; one son, Todd (Laura) Gathje of Rochester; one grandson, Samuel Gathje; one granddaughter, AnnMarie Gathje; three brothers, George Gathje of Afton, Paul (Nell) Gathje of Stewartville and Dan (Maryann) Gathje of Rochester and one sister, Jane (Vic) Gardner of Winona. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family suggests memorials to Saint Paul Lutheran Church.