Onsager, Arnold Irving -- 1920 - 2011

ONSAGER, HAGEN, OLSON, WARD, MILLER, PARKER, CARLSBURG

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/9/2012 at 15:00:16

Decorah Journal Feb. 10, 2011

Arnold I. Onsager, 91, of Waukon, died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services are Friday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial with military rites is at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 until 7 p.m. Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Honorary casketbearers are Michelle Campbell, Elizabeth and Lindsay Miller, Jasmine, Stacie and Tina Onsager, Jennifer Rude and Catina Ward. Casketbearers are Nathan and Nick Onsager, Brandon Rude, James, Joseph and Kevin Ward.

Arnold Irving Onsager was born Jan. 19, 1920 on the family farm in Glenwood Township, Allamakee County, the son of Albert and Ida (Hagen) Onsager. He attended the Lee Country School in rural Waukon. Prior to serving in the Army he was a farmhand. Arnold served in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 during which time he was a rifleman and dog handler. He served in Hawaii, Christmas Island and Palmyre Island. On April 7, 1946 he married Josephine Olson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. They farmed prior to Arnold working for 30 years at the Waukon Creamery, retiring in 1985. During retirement he did part time maintenance work at South Crest. Arnold enjoyed fishing, woodworking, taking the car for a spin, reading and helping Josie in the kitchen.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Onsager of Waukon; four children: Elaine (Robert) Ward of Decorah, Sharon (Tom) Miller of Winfield, Ron (Tamie) Onsager of Decorah and Arnie (Sherri) Onsager of Waukon; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Gloria Parker; two brothers, Norman and Oscar Onsager; and two sisters, Martha Carlsburg and Ethel Onsager.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com .

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers