Phyllis Lorraine Dittes Arneson, 87

1922 – 2010

Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, left us to go into her loving father in heavens’ arms on Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Phyllis was born on May 22, 1922, in Milbank, S.D., to Henry and Mathilda (Kamin) Dittes. She was the oldest of 5 children. She was raised in the Ortonville, Minn., area, graduating from Ortonville High School in 1940.

She met the love of her life, Calvin A. Arneson, in Ortonville, and they were married in Camp Clayborn, La., in 1941, right before he left to go to North Africa for World War II. When Calvin returned after the war ended, he was welcomed home by Phyllis and their first born, 2-year-old son Dennis, in 1944. The next few years brought three more sons, Robert, David and Leroy, followed by their first daughter, Lorri. Several years later, their daughter Keli was born.

In the spring of 1962 the family traveled west and settled in Bozeman, Mont., on Calvin’s mother’s ranch, in the Four Corners area.

Phyllis, who taught herself to sew at 6 years of age, worked for several area dress shops, including Chambers Fishers, Hartman-Mockel, Angionettes, Corral West and Williams Clothiers, and she sewed personally for many area people. Calvin and Phyllis owned Northside Meat Market in Bozeman for many years. Phyllis was a lifetime member of the VFW Ladies Axillary, Hope Lutheran Church and numerous volunteer organizations.

Phyllis was preceded in death by husband Calvin; daughter and son-in-law Lorri and Patrick Roberts; grandson Christopher Arneson; her parents; her brother, Ralph, his wife, Ruth and son Loren Dittes and an infant sister.

Phyllis is survived by children: Denny (Kathy) of Hayden Lake, Bob (Dilyn) of Bozeman, David (Shanna) of Bayview, Leroy (Karen) of Belgrade, Mont., and Keli (Kelly) Harrigfeld of Toston, Mont.; by 15 grandchildren — Denny’s: Eric and Heidi, Lisi Frum and Tracey (Andrew) Moren; Bob’s: James (Sandy) Conrad, Chris (Aubrey) and Kevin; David’s: Chad and Jacob; Leroy’s: Joey (Kara) and Jerry; Keli’s: Patrick (Rusti), Daniel (Kendyl), Amanda and Ceara Harrigfeld; and 13 (and one on the way) great-grandchildren; brothers Karl (Lois) Dittes of Wilmar, Minn., and Harold (Rosella) Dittes of Ortonville and many nieces, nephews and so many dear friends.

The family suggests memorials to the VFW Auxiliary, Montana Special Olympics or Bozeman Senior Center in lieu of flowers.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, 2010, at Hope Lutheran Church on South 19th. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. Memorial: www.dokkennelson.com