Arnold, better known as "Arnie," was born in Sidney, Montana on August 21, 1943. He was the first born of three sons to Niels and Louise (Sorensen) Conradsen. Being dedicated beet farmers, they were very grateful to have all the help three sons could give. He grew up in Savage where he spent his childhood learning important life lessons from his mom and dad. Much emphasis was put on hard work, dedication, and the love for the Lord. The boys will tell you Grandma Louise made sure they dressed in their Sunday best every week for church, and every other day of the week Grandpa Niels made sure to teach them the rest.
Arnold graduated from Savage High School in 1962. He wasted no time jumping into the workforce, joining the team at Farm Chemicals. He covered a vast area from Trenton, North Dakota to Intake, Montana. While he enjoyed his job, farming was in his DNA and he longed to return to it. He found work with Wind's Farm of Savage. However, an opportunity that he couldn't pass up took him to Knife River Coal Mine where his experience running farm equipment moved him up to a crane operator quickly.
In 1975, while working for the mine, Arnold met and married the love of his life, Donna Zaste. She was just feisty enough to keep him in check while raising their combined five children, Kelley, Kevin, Gary, Bill, and Allen. Arnold was chosen to help open a new mine near Scranton North Dakota, so he and his family lived there for a short time. However, the farm, his family, and simple life called out to him in a way that he couldn't resist, regardless of the benefits the mine offered. He moved his family back to the farm in Savage to work with his brothers, Conrad and Harlan. For the next 48 years he worked tirelessly and enjoyed every moment of it. Always offering his opinions on the many challenges that came with daily farm life (Whether you wanted to hear it or not). Being good Danes, the Conradsen tradition is to talk through life's challenges over coffee in the morning, afternoon, and beer in the shop after a long hard day's work. Boy, if that old green shop could talk.......
As you can imagine, raising five kids came with a lot of activity. No matter how busy he was, Donna always made sure that he was at as many of the kids’ sporting events as possible. He spent quality time with his kids and grandkids teaching them all to irrigate. We all figured he must have been trying to train replacements, since this was his least favorite task on the farm.
Later in life he "retired" to making the coffee for coffee time, keeping stock of inventory for the farm, and looking forward to driving that big red and white truck for beet harvest. Oh, how he loved that truck!!
Despite a courageous battle with thyroid cancer, Arnold "Arnie" Niels Conradsen, 80, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024, at his home in Savage, MT with his family by his side.
Arnold left behind his loving wife of 49 years, Donna and their five children: Kelley (Darold) Wolff, Kevin (Laura) Conradsen, Gary (Kari) Sinks, Bill (Amy) Sinks, and Allen Conradsen; brothers Conrad (Linda) and Harlan (Judy); his thirteen grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents Niels and Louise, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
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