Arthur “Art” Merlin Ford, 103, passed away on February 27, 2025, at his home.
He was born June 27, 1921, to Alvin and Minnie Forde at the Forde family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Garness Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Mabel, Minn. He graduated from Mabel High School on June 2, 1939. He enlisted in the United States Navy on February 19, 1942, and was honorably discharged on December 24, 1946. He served as a Gunners Mate First Class in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign. He was united in marriage to Katherine E. Thingvold on November 2, 1944, at Hesper Lutheran Church, Hesper, Iowa. He worked for Allis Chalmers, Oak Forest Sanitarium, La Crosse Home for Children, Sparta Manufacturing, and La Crosse Public Library System, and after retirement, he worked part time at Trinity Lutheran Church and The Wonder Wash.
For many years he was active at Trinity Lutheran Church, ushering, teaching Sunday School, singing in the men’s choir, serving on the Board of Education as well as the Board of Trustees, and Married Couples Club. He was a member of the Sons of Norway for over 25 years and the Harry J. Olson Senior Center. He was so happy to be able to go on the very first Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse on October 8, 2008. After the Honor Flight, he attended the Veterans’ Day breakfast at UW-La Crosse for many years.
He is survived by his daughters Julie Smith and Judy Ford, granddaughters Tanya (Randy) Erickson, Stephanie (Monte) Printup, and Stacey (Mac) McIlquham; great-grandchildren Tyler Smith, Whitney Printup, Zackory (Hongting) Erickson and Ashley Erickson; his brother Alvin (Julia) Forde, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Katherine, parents Alvin and Minnie Forde, in-laws John and Clara Thingvold, sister Marie (Roger) Williams, brother Jerome (Vina) Forde, great-nephews Shawn Austin and Michael Williams, great-great-niece Alyssa Williams, brothers-in-law Charles, Paul (Corrine), Gerhard (Zola) and Norman Thingvold; niece Brenda Hurley, and nephew John Thingvold.
The family would like to thank relatives and friends for their support since Art’s fall in September. Also, thank you to Dr. John Herath and Gundersen Hospice for their guidance to allow the family to care for him at home.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Sill Street, La Crosse, with Pastor Phil Waselik officiating. A visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Military Honors by American Legion Post #52 will immediately follow the service. Burial will follow in Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, La Crosse. Active or Veteran military members are encouraged to wear their uniforms or military attire.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Freedom Honor Flight, American Legion Post #52, Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Homes is assisting Art’s family with the arrangements.