W. Arnold Richardson 1906 - 2003

RICHARDSON, ALDRICH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2014 at 20:23:55

Sloan Starlet
8 November 2003

SMITHLAND, Iowa -- W. Arnold Richardson, 97, formerly of Smithland died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at Maple Heights Nursing Center in Mapleton, Iowa, where he had resided.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at United Church of Christ in Oto, Iowa. Burial will be in Little Sioux Cemetery, Smithland. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Willman Funeral Chapel in Rodney, Iowa.

Arnold was born Feb. 13, 1906, in St. Louis, Mo., to George Walker and P. May Richardson. He grew up in Ticonic and Onawa, Iowa. The family homesteaded in Dallas, S.D. He graduated from Onawa High School and attended Morningside College for one year.

He started a dance band while in high school and continued performing in the surrounding area for more than 50 years.

He and Merle Aldrich were married March 15, 1928. During their married life, he farmed and had a welding and repair shop in Onawa and Smithland. He worked at the Cherokee State Hospital for 25 years. After retirement, the couple enjoyed winters in Texas and Arizona. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 15, 1978. Merle died in April 1978.

He married Maxine Mead in September 1979. He was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine of Oto; a daughter, Mrs. Helen Tabke of Cheyenne, Wyo.; a son and his wife, Ray and Louise Richardson of Clayton, Minn.; a son-in-law, Miller Nickolisen of Smithland; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Bill and Peggy Barbee of Wichita, Kan., Bill and Cheryl Mead of Denison, Iowa, and Larry Mead of Denver, Colo.; stepgrandchildren; great-stepgrandchildren; a brother and his wife, Don and Diane Richardson of Wilamina, Ore.; a sister-in-law, Leota Aldrich of Moneta, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and a special cousin, Edna Anderson of Onawa.

In addition to his first wife, Merle, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Randal and Rex; and a daughter, Mrs. Miller (Doris) Nickolisen.

His family remembers him as a man who enjoyed helping people and maintaining a high standard in all that he did.

The family suggests a memorial of the donor's choice in lieu of flowers.