Arnold Kansanback
December 23, 1924 - October 18, 2008

Arnold F. Kansanback was born on December 23rd, 1924 in Flandreau, South Dakota to the late Arthur and Laura (Steinke) Kansanback. He was baptized at an early age at the EUB Church in Salem, South Dakota and was later confirmed in 1938 at the Red Rock United Methodist Church in rural Sanborn, Minnesota. He received his education in District #35 in rural Sanborn.

An avid roller skater Arnie met Alice Wiese of Worthington while skating and they were married June 7, 1953 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington. This marriage was blessed with five children, Julie, Cindy, Michael, Jayne, and Joel. After marriage, Arnie and Alice farmed in the rural Sanborn, Minnesota area. Arnie was passionate about farming, black angus cattle and quarter horses. For sixteen years Arnie drove school bus for the Storden-Jeffers Public Schools. In 1982, Arnie and Alice retired from farming and moved to Windom. Arnie then began to drive school bus for Windom Public Schools until retiring in 2001. Arnie loved the school bus driving because it gave him time to spend with the kids and he was known for clowning around with them. Arnie also became a Real Estate Broker and sold farms and ranches through out Southern Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota. Arnie was a lifetime member of the Red Rock United Methodist Church in rural Sanborn where he taught Sunday school and served on the board of trustees. In February of 2006, due to memory loss, Arnie became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom where he remained a resident until passing away on Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2008, at the wonderful age of 83.

Arnie enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was known for striking up conversations with everyone he met. Arnie is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Alice Kansanback of Windom; five children and their spouses Julie (Gary) Carlson of Castle Pines, CO; Cindy (LeRoy) Davis of Parker, SD; Michael Kansanback of Ft. Sill, OK; Jayne (Reed) Moormeier of Chaska; Joel (Rachel) Kansanback of Eden Prairie; ten grandchildren, Jeremy (Jodie) Davis of Parker, SD; Lindsey Carlson of Phoenix, AZ; Crystal Nielson (Adam) of Hartford, SD; Tucker Carlson of Denver, CO; Nicole Davis of Parker, SD; Jordan Kansanback of SD; Ben Moormeier of Chaska; Brooke Moormeier of Chaska; Henry Kansanback of Eden Prairie; Charles Kansanback of Eden Prairie; two great-grandchildren, Harley and Emmie Davis of Parker, SD; sister-in-law, Gloria Kansanback of Roseburg, OR; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arnie is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Pankonin; and two brothers, Lyle and Donald Kansanback.


Memorials are preferred to the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom or Reinbows, Inc of Windom.

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