Arnold Krogen, 89, a quiet, kind and gentle man, died on Nov. 23, 2009, at his home in Tioga. His memorial service is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, at the First Lutheran Church, Tioga. The Rev. Sandy Anderson is officiating. Friends are encouraged to share condolences with the family online at www.fulkersons.com.

Friends may sign a register book at the Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga from 1-5 p.m. on Friday.

Arnold was born on July 22, 1920, to Anton Krogen and Dora Stangeland Krogen in a farm house south of Hanks, N.D. Arnold told the story of the day he was born, it was so terribly hot a hawk came and took a glass of water from the open window. He thought the hawk was thirsty, too.

He attended the Strom School south of Tioga before moving to a John Hove place, then attending the Haustviet School. Some 30 years later, all three of his children attended the same country school. He walked two miles to school, even though sometimes the teacher never made it because of stormy weather. He never missed a day of school and received a perfect attendance certificate in 1931.

When Arnold was 15, he went to work during the summer at Nansen, N.D., on a farm, putting up hay, harvesting and threshing. When he returned after harvest that fall, he had made $107.50 which helped his parents through the winter. During the winter, Arnold would trap beaver, mink and muskrats. With the money he made, he purchased his first guitar for $5, which started him on his musical journey.

Arnold and his brother played in a band, playing for dances every weekend. Arnold played the mandolin, until his brother went in the service during WWII. He then played drums and sang with the “Royal Scandinavian Band” every weekend for dances.

He also played and sang Norwegian songs on the “Faye Crush” radio program out of Williston once a week for a time. Through the years, he played the guitar and sang with “The Farmers and the Fuzz” and “The Lenders and The Spenders."

In Lake Havasu, Ariz., where Arnold and Dorothy spent winters, he played with the “Bandairs,” entertaining at Monday morning coffee and evening programs at the court and playing at nursing homes in the area. Arnold has two musical grandsons, Jared Leier and Daniel Abel, whom he gave his two guitars to a few years ago.

In 1944, Arnold purchased a quarter of land in Tyron Township north of Williston. In 1949, Arnold purchased 900 acres south of Tioga from his cousin, Axel Hagen, where he set up housekeeping. That fall, a young girl came to teach at a school one-half mile south of his place.

Arnold always told the story about how one day some of his cows got out. He saddled up his horse and rode by the school. He noticed it was recess and having a niece going to school there, he thought he would stop and say “hi” to her. When he came up to the school, he noticed the teacher was standing on the porch. She had on this beautiful blue skirt. Just then a big gust of wind came and blew her skirt up. He said, “I fell in love with her immediately.”

Arnold married the love of his life, Dorothy Loscheider on April 15, 1950. For the rest of his life, “The Blue Skirt Waltz” was their dance. In 1961, they purchased Arnold’s grandfather Stangeland’s homestead and built their home there.

Arnold loved his three children and was never too busy to attend all of their school and other activities. He would leave his farm work numerous times to take his kids to the state and county fairs and the Tioga Farm Festival, where they would show their calves and attend horseshows. They could always count on dad to be there and cheer them on.

A father holds their children’s hand for just a little while�- and their hearts forever.

Arnold was a steward of the land. He always believed he should leave the land better than he found it. He was the 1972 Soil Conservation Award recipient. In 1998, he received the North Dakota State University Outstanding Agricultural Award.

He was an active community supporter. He was instrumental in the organization of the Tioga Farm Festival, White Earth Valley Saddle Club and the Beaver Lodge 4H Club. He was an active member with the Tioga Fine Arts Club, Tioga Chamber of Commerce and Toastmasters’ Club. He was the treasurer for Dry Fork Township for many years. In 1990, Arnold and Dorothy were honored as the grand marshals for the Tioga Farm Festival Parade.

Arnold enjoyed camping with his family and friends, taking their motor home and traveling to many parts of the United States. They also enjoyed traveling overseas. Arnold and Dorothy spent 27 wonderful winters in Arizona, where they met some of their fondest and dearest friends.

Arnold was an avid horseman who loved to break horses for pleasure riding and also for pulling old wagons and buggies he had refurbished. They would travel around the country with his team and buggy to many memorable parades. Arnold always said, “There is something about a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”

He was a great ballroom dancer. Ladies loved to dance with him. Arnold and Dorothy square danced for many years.

He enjoyed golfing and playing pinochle with his friends on “Men’s night” at the Tioga Country Club. In the winters, he would play horseshoes with the guys every day.

Arnold was everyone’s friend. His ashes will be spread on Saturday on the ranch he loved.

Arnold is survived by his wife of 59 and a half years, Dorothy; his two daughters, Nancy (Chuck) Abel, Bismarck and Fern (Nick) Leier, Williston. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Summer Krogen and her children Saige and Piper, Bismarck, Brooke (Jeremy) Paulson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kellen (Lyndsay) Leier and their son Cayden, Bismarck, Jared Leier (Catlin Westin), Minneapolis, Minn., and Carla Abel and Daniel Abel, Bismarck, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sisters and his son, Lee in 2001.

In lieu of flowers; donations to Williston Mercy Hospice, Tioga Senior Citizens or the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.