Arnold Nordstrom

Arnold Oliver Nordstrom

1931 - 2022

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Arnold

Obituary of Arnold Oliver Nordstrom

Arnold Nordstrom, aged 90 years, of Steinbach, Manitoba, formerly of Sprague, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

 

He is survived by his wife, Selma, sons: Darrell (Gladys), Ron (Dianne), and Greg (Dee) and their families; as well as one brother (Clarence) and three sisters (Lil, Mary, Elaine).

 

Arnold was born in Sprague on August 2, 1931, and grew up on the farm surrounded by numerous siblings. As a young man he had a number of jobs in Winnipeg. He married Selma in 1956.

 

Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Atikokan, Ontario where Arnie worked as a butcher at a Red and White grocery store. Three kids later, the family moved back to Sprague where he took over his parents’ farm. Even though he had no training, he was often called upon for his veterinary skills with cattle. When not farming he cut and sold carloads of fence posts, rails, and logs, sometimes with help from his boys.

 

In the 70’s Arnold became the Solo grocery store owner in Sprague. The store became a family affair, but Arnold especially enjoyed the role of butcher. He was on the Credit Union Board and volunteered as a Lion. After a few years he returned to farming and had a side hustle cutting meat.

 

If it meant he could eat them with cream and sugar later, Arnold would spend hours picking blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries. Upon reflection, if it had butter, cream, or sugar on it, he would likely have eaten cardboard.

 

After he sold the farm Arnold became a self-taught, highly sought carpenter. He built or renovated many houses, cabins and garages at Buffalo Point and the area surrounding Sprague. On drives through the Buffalo Point area he would proudly point out the many buildings he had constructed. Retiring from carpentry became a challenge, as long after his shoulders and knee had given up on him, he was still in demand.

 

In his later years he enjoyed fishing and gardening and took pride in growing vegetables for local farmer’s markets. He also loved playing snooker at the Sprague Senior Center. He and Selma moved to an apartment in Steinbach in December of 2020.

 

Arnold had a keen interest in family history and an amazing memory. He knew everyone and always had a story or two to tell anyone willing to listen. He had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh and make others laugh.

 

A husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, he will be dearly missed.

 

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.