Donald “Donnie” Arnold, 78, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at his home.

Donald was born Oct. 2, 1937, in Austin, Minnesota, to Ray and Wanda (Stice) Arnold. He graduated from Austin High School in 1956 and served four years in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960. Don married Barnetta Stewart in 1961 and they were later divorced. He worked at the Red Owl Store, Austin Utilities, and in 1968 started at Hormel & Company along with a part-time position at Riverside Arena. In 1991, he married Jean (Loecher) Ryks. In 2002, he retired from Hormel after he had worked for 34 years. During his retirement, he enjoyed several part time jobs and helped friends and family until a stroke started to slow him down.

Don was a fun person who enjoyed family and friends. His greatest pleasures were his children, grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Don enjoyed all athletic activities in his younger years. He played softball, tennis, golf, and all other sports which led him to coach little league baseball, flag football and hockey, much to the dismay of his sons who played all three.

Donnie, or Squirt as he was most often called, was the favorite uncle of all his nieces and nephews as he was a great teaser and a willing helper wherever he was needed. Don also tended bar as a second job in several downtown Austin establishments. He was a past member of the Moose, Eagles and Elks Clubs.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers: Deryl, Dick and Bob.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Jean Arnold, Austin, Minnesota; children: Kevin (Lenise) Arnold, Austin, Minnesota, Keith (Amy) Arnold, Lenexa, Kansas, Christy (James) Harris, Wheaton, Illinois, and Thad Arnold, Cumming, Georgia; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; step-children: Terry Ryks (Belinda Nemmers) Faribault, Minnesota, Tammy (Joe) Christianson, Austin, Minnesota, and Todd (Shelly) Ryks, Minnetrista, Minnesota; brother Larry Arnold, Banning, California; sister-in-law Cora Arnold, Owatonna, Minnesota; nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father James Steffes officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery with Austin Post No. 91 American Legion in charge of military rites. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour before the service. Memorials are preferred to Austin Youth Hockey.