Arthur Vincent “Art” Callanan, age 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, peacefully returned to the Lord on September 4, 2026.
Funeral Mass for Art will be held 11 a.m., Friday, September 11, 2026, at St. Columban Catholic Church in Preston, Minnesota. Public visitation will be held before the funeral Mass, starting at 9:30 a.m. Inurnment for Art will take place at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home Preston is assisting the family.
Art was born on March 5, 1931, in Nora Springs, Iowa, the first of 10 children born to Paul and Ann Callanan. He graduated from Comfrey High School in 1949, where he enjoyed playing football and basketball. His love of sports stayed with him throughout his life, especially when it came to watching his children and grandchildren participate. Nothing made him prouder than cheering them on from the sidelines.
Art’s life took a wonderful turn when he traveled to Preston on assignment for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. While shopping at the local Red Owl, he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Mina “Ruth” Burns. They were united in marriage on August 27, 1955, and made their home in Preston, Minnesota.
Art and Ruth were blessed with eight children: Sue (Larry) Herm of Victoria, Minnesota; Deb (Jon) Ebner of Preston, Minnesota; Mick (Heidi) Callanan of Rochester, Minnesota; Pat (Tris) Tollefson of Preston, Minnesota; Marcia Collier of Farmington, Minnesota; Annette Herber of Rochester, Minnesota; Karen (Andrew) Knight of Stewartville, Minnesota; and Kathy Callanan of Chatfield, Minnesota.
Family was at the heart of Art’s life, and he was immensely proud of his 18 grandchildren: Ryan (Joanna) Herm, Eric (Blair) Herm, Kody (Rebecca) Ebner, Kristi Ebner, Shane Callanan, Jason (Allegra) Callanan, Brianna Bahl, Ross (Carrie) Bahl, Riley (Liz Abrahamson) Bahl, Trace (Jenna) Tollefson, Trent (Christina) Tollefson, Kyle (Sierra) Tollefson, Katie Tollefson, Caitlyn Collier, Mitchell Collier (fiancée Tessa Ede), Makenna Herber, Zach Herber, and Tristan Knight; and his 23 great-grandchildren: Jake, Javi, Frannie, Ellee, Henry, Skylar, Jackson, Fynn, Minnie, Avaia, Reyna, Callum, Blake, Bridon, Liam, Amelia, August, Ellis, Madeline, Benjamin, Hadley, Lainey and Nevie.
Art worked a variety of local jobs throughout his life and eventually retired from Strongwell in Chatfield, Minnesota. He had a genuine love for his community and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He served on the city of Preston Tree Board from 2001 to 2020, served as an election judge from 2000 to 2018, and worked at the tourism center from 2002 to 2010. He took great pride in knowing the roads and communities of Fillmore County and was always ready to point visitors in the right direction. Even well into his 80s, Art continued delivering Meals on Wheels, carrying on his lifelong tradition of serving others.
Art proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1950 to 1954 and thus earned the title of Korean War veteran. While stationed in Korea, he was given the nickname “Skoshi,” meaning “little soldier,” by the Korean people. He remained deeply proud of his military service throughout his life and continued to honor that chapter of his life by participating in numerous VFW parades as a member of the honor guard. His service to his country was a source of great pride, and he carried that sense of patriotism with him throughout his life.
One of the most special moments of Art’s later years came in October 2017, when he was thrilled to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his daughter Kathy. The highlight of the trip was visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial – a deeply meaningful experience and a lasting reminder of the time he had served his country so many years before.
Art and Ruth also shared a love of travel and adventure. As members of the Preston Summit Club, they traveled to many places throughout the United States and abroad. One of Art’s favorite memories was traveling to Ireland, where he proudly kissed the Blarney Stone. He and Ruth also treasured their time in Hawaii, where they were able to spend precious days visiting their daughter Karen.
Art found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved watching birds, hunting deer and pheasant with family, riding his bike on local trails, and participating in 35-mile bike tours with his kids in central Minnesota. He enjoyed gathering with his buddies at the local bowling alley, where shaking dice was a favorite pastime. He could spend hours working on puzzles and completed hundreds over the years. He also had a fascination with rare coins and took great pleasure in building his collection.
Art was a longtime member of St. Columban’s Catholic Church in Preston, where he and Ruth were married 71 years ago.
Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ruth, infant daughter Nancy, his parents Paul and Ann, his brother Paul Callanan, his sisters Charlotte Wandersee and Marlys Domier, three nieces and two nephews.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield for the excellent care, kindness, and compassion they showed Art. They also offer their sincere thanks to St. Croix Hospice for the loving and compassionate care provided during his final days.
Art will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by his family and the many people whose lives he touched. His love of family, commitment to his community, pride in his country, and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures will live on in the generations that follow.
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