Arnold "Arnie" Mathews
Arnold G. Mathews, 97, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at home, with family at his side.
Arnold “Arnie” Mathews was born September 16, 1928, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Holman L. “Jack” and Barbara (Wildermuth) Mathews. He grew up with his younger brother, George, “Bobby”. His mother, Barbara, died when he was 16 years of age. Wanting a mother figure in the boys’ lives, Jack left the boys in the care of Barbara’s brother, Leo Wildermuth, and his wife, Annie. Arnie would later welcome siblings, Jacque and Kenny, when Jack married Clara Knutson.
A bit of a prankster, the caption beside Arnie’s high school yearbook picture read, “There’s no business like monkey business.” After high school, Arnie joined the Navy, then enrolled in a jobs program through the GI bill. Sparking an entrepreneurial spirit, he bought a gas station in his early 20’s.
On May 3, 1949, he married Marilyn Kleespies in Storm Lake, Iowa. They lived in Trusdale, Iowa, before venturing on to Illinois and Indiana, where their daughters, Melinda and Christy, were born. They settled in Aberdeen and added 4 more children (Michelle, Terri, Mike, and Scott) to their brood.
He made a fun life for his family in Aberdeen, with simple pleasures like trips to Enemy Swim, the Holiday Inn in Bismarck, or visits to the Black Hills. In 1969, he bought a cabin at Richmond Lake, where the family spent countless hours having summer fun!
Arnold, along with partners Don Meyer and Del Aldinger, owned and operated Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen and Restlawn Memory Gardens in Huron. He was instrumental in bringing several businesses to Aberdeen, including Centurion, Perkins, RGs, and Blockbuster. He partnered with his son-in-law, William Peterson, and, along with his daughter, Christy, son Mike, and Doug Stern, opened Thatzza Pizza.
He was a “health nut” and a lifetime member of the YMCA, working out daily well into his 80s. His hobbies included golf and chess. He established an Aberdeen chess club and sponsored chess tournaments. He served as president of the Aberdeen Jaycees and was a member of the GASM (Guards and Snowmen) Club. He was a die-hard Vikings fan, hopeful of a Super Bowl title at season’s start and lamenting their losses in the end.
Upon “retiring”, he and Marilyn spent winters in Sanibel, Florida, and Lake Havasu, Arizona. As his health declined, he was content to sit at the kitchen table in his home at Richmond Lake in the company of his life-long love, watching reruns of Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith, and Family Feud. He kept a daily journal and worked on crossword puzzles. Together, the children were able to provide care, allowing him and Marilyn to remain at home.
Arnie was never bound by convention, nor did he seek accolades or prestige. His satisfaction came from the doing and a job well done. His joy came in making people (especially his wife) happy. He and Marilyn cherished the long-lasting friendships they made.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of 76 years; children: Christy (William) Peterson, Michelle (Frank) Snyder, Terri (John) Hartig, Mike (Jeanne) Mathews, Scott (Holly) Mathews, Son-in-law Randy Aldinger; Sister, Jacque and sister-in-law, Kathie; Grandchildren: Mathew (Marie) Aldinger, Kelli (Jeremy) Holder, Christian Snyder, Hayden (Jessica) Snyder, Scott (Paula) Hartig, Brent Hartig, Carrie Neumiller, Andrea (Mike) Woods, Brooke (Nate) Smith, Tristan Mathews, Jaslynn Mathews; 13 great grandchildren; several loving nieces and nephews; and many faithful family dogs.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his daughter, Melinda, a baby sister, Laura Jean, brothers Bobby and Ken, Aunts Annie and Laura, Uncles Leo and Dick.