Arnold (Arnie) E. Stumvoll, 83, passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2016 with his loving wife and family by his side.
Funeral services for Arnold E. Stumvoll will be held Friday, May 20, at 10 a.m. at St Raphael’s Catholic Church in Glasgow, followed by interment at the Highland Cemetery.
Arnold was born Nov. 8, 1932, in Underwood, ND to Frank and Agnes (Krenz) Stumvoll. He was raised in Max, North Dakota and graduated from Max High School in 1951. Arnie married his best friend and the love of his life, Viola (Vicky) Ulrich, of Underwood, on June 27, 1956. They would have been married 60 years this year. To their union five children were born: Dean (Sally) Stumvoll, Oakton, VA.; Robert (Barbara) Stumvoll, Libby, MT.; Barbara (Fred) Willis, Billings, MT.; Elizabeth (Breck) Probst, Tuttle, OK.; Jacqueline (Patrick) Murphy, Oklahoma City, OK.
Arnie and Vicky meet when Vicky would go to her grandparent’s farm during the summer. Vicky’s grandparents lived a short distance from Arnie’s parents, so they knew each other when they were young. Vicky’s uncle Denise and Arnie were friends for many years, so when Arnie was batching he managed to show up at Vicky’s grandparents’ house just in time for dinner. Vicky’s grandmother Helen always felt that they would make a wonderful match!
After many years working on the farm and dairy business in North Dakota, Clarence Freise and Arnie decided to purchase a bakery business in Glasgow, MT. Than in April 7, 1970 Arnie and two partners opened Arnie’s Electric and in 1980 Arnie and Vicky bought out his partners and continued to extend Arnie’s and Vicky’s existing life partnership to now also include a business partnership. Even though Arnie retired in 1996 he continued to enjoy his time with Bob (who bought out Arnie’s Electric) and Stumvoll Electric. He lived his life with commitment and integrity to God, his family, his friends and the community.
He loved to hunt, camp with family and friends, work in the yard, play cards, a Sunday drive with his family and a cold glass of chocolate milk. One of his greatest hobbies was making furniture out of wood for his kids and grandkids. We all have a beautiful piece of furniture that he crafted with his own hands.
While we deeply mourn his untimely passing and search for understanding, we are thanking God for what his life meant to us. He gave us all he had. He was a wonderful provider, a deeply loving husband and loving father to both his wife Vicky and their children. Arnie and Vicky raised their children to be loving, compassionate, and respectful people. His motto was “Life is good.” He was fierce in his love and protection of his family and friends. For all those whom his passion and kindness touched, we are grateful. He loved helping others. No matter how you came to know him, he left a mark on you in some way.
Arnie was a man who had been a light in so many lives. He was half of the couple that proved that true love didn’t just exist in fairy tales. He was a hero to many and a man that changed so many lives for the better. He was a man who epitomized what it was to fight for what you want, what you have and what you need but also reassured you that you would never fight alone, as long as he was there.
We were blessed to call him husband, dad, grandpa and friend. We will spend forever remembering him, missing him, and NEVER forgetting how blessed we were having him in our lives. We love you and until we meet again.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Stumvoll, Agnes Pflipsen and Hubert Pflipsen. He was also preceded in death by his grandson Joshua Stumvol. Arnold was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law and friend Don Kostelecky.
Survivors include his loving wife, Vicky; 5 children, Dean (Sally) Stumvoll of Oakton, Virginia, Robert (Barbara) Stumvoll of Libby, Montana, Barbara (Wm. Fred) Willis of Billings, Montana, Elizabeth (Breck) Probst of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Jacqueline (Pat) Murphy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 14 Grandchildren, Ryan Stumvoll, Ashley Stumvoll, Brittany Stumvoll, Haley Stumvoll, Justin (Abi) Stumvoll, Katie (Brendon) Byrne, Rick (Amy) Stumvoll, Mike (Melanie) Willis, Angie ( Doug )Just , Brandy Schaffer, Eli Probst, Wyatt Probst, Katelynn Murphy, Lexi Murphy; five siblings – Alice (Phil) Moon, Rosemary Bratten, Judy (John) Reading, Doris Moore, and Dwight (Shelley) Pflipsen; Sister-in-law Lucy Kostelecky ; Brother-in-law Alfred (Barb) Ulrich and many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Dwight Pflipsen says
I was 21 when I met Arnie, working as a third year apprentice electrician in the Dakota oil patch. It was a Friday, I had blazing row with my boss (every 21 year old knows it all) and decided to see the lady (soon to be my wife), who lived some 500 miles west in north central Montana. I regularly made the trip and generally drove straight through. For some reason I was exhausted that night and decided to spend the night in Glasgow. Checking in, and still mad, a wild hair hit me. I decided to check out the various electrical shops in the area. “Arnies Electric” was the first heading on the yellow pages (pre Google and Facebook), and I gave it a shot!!!!! It was 9:00 pm, oddly enough, Arnie answered the phone. I explained my four year position and that I was looking for work. Arnie was pretty gruff; had all the people he needed and was not looking to hire, leave me alone. I apologized, and for whatever odd reason, Arnie started to chat. We did for about 15-20 minutes, just chit chat; two strangers. Finally, Arnie asked, “what time are you leaving tomorrow?” (like guys after girls have a schedule). Arnie said, “I always go in early Saturday, meet me at 7:00 am”, and I did. We chatted for an hour, and finally Arnie asked, “Can you be here at 8:00 am on Monday?” That started three years working for a man of impeccable character, dynamic energy, and one of the finest men I have ever met.
There is a wonderful book written about the struggles of the brave people to settle the Dakota Territories in the early 1900’s. Giants of the Earth. Arnie, you were and always will be remembered as a Giant of the Earth.
RIP Arnie, my boss, my friend and my mentor. A chapter closes and a dear friend passes.
Vicki, Dean, Bob and Barb; Veronica and I and our Children extend our heartfelt condolences. The younger girls we don’t remember that well, I believe they were still in grade school at the time.
Vicki, we remember the Christmas parties at your place, and I distinctly remember you and Veronica laughing about your 5 kids and being Catholic. Wow, almost 40 years ago. Hey we beat you…….doubled in fact, we have 10!!!!!!!!!!
Rudy, Veronica and family