Arnold LeRoy Johnson, 102 ½, of Estelline, SD, passed away on Monday morning, October 14, 2024, at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center in Estelline. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 pm Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Estelline, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.

Arnold LeRoy Johnson was the son of Albert Theodore (known as Ted) and Anna Maria (Ness) Johnson. He was born on the family farm on January 6, 1922, in Grange Township, Deuel County of South Dakota. Arnold was baptized by Pastor George Vlariden at St. John's Lutheran Church, in rural Toronto, SD. He was confirmed in Leganger Lutheran Church in Toronto on June 21, 1936.

A hardworking farmer, Arnold raised cattle and pigs. He farmed with horses in the earlier years because machinery wasn't available during the war. Arnold was a proud member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO) and was the editor of the Deuel County NFO Newsletter. On April 17, 1982, Arnold married Gunda "Helene" Lee at the Ortley Free Lutheran Church. They have been married for 42 years.

Growing up Arnold had several uncles who played violin. Arnold learned to play at the age of 12 on a violin that he ordered from the Lancaster Seed Company, Landcaster, PA. There was an ad in a farm magazine whereby 24 packages of garden seed could be sold at 10 cents a package and the commission of $2.40 could be used to purchase a fiddle. The fiddle he ordered and received was very small, made of "tin" with the riveted bridge. Included was an instruction book which showed Arnold the correct fingering patterns and Arnold learned on his tin fiddle.

Arnold was very musically inclined, even at a very young age. He sang a solo at his uncle John's funeral at St. John's Lutheran Church when he was 9 years old (Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee). On October, 1976, Arnold entered his first fiddle contest in Yankton, SD and won first place in his division. Arnold was a member of the South Dakota Old Time Fiddlers whom he played with for many years.

Helen describes Arnold as a very kind and considerate man, putting the welfare of his fellow man ahead of his own.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Helen Johnson; several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Anna (Ness) Johnson and his two sisters, Audrey and Elva.