Arnold Martin Solstad, 90

Arnold Martin Solstad, 90, of Ramona, Calif., passed away on Feb. 17, 2006.

He was born March 27, 1915, in Ishpeming, Mich., to Andrew and Hilda Solstad.

Arnold attended Ishpeming public schools. He served in the Civil Conservation Corps in 1936. He was employed as a painter, miner and school custodian during his lifetime.

Arnold married Florence E. La Jeunesse at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, Mich., on Oct. 27, 1939. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1990, both in San Diego, Calif., and in Sagle, Idaho, with their children and many friends.

The family moved to San Diego in 1953 from Ishpeming. In 1978, Arnold and Flossie retired to Cocolalla, Idaho. In 1995, they moved to Ramona.

Arnold was a charter member of Clairmont Lutheran Church in San Diego, and was an active member of the Sagle Baptist Church in Idaho. After returning to Ramona, he was an active member of Grace Community Church and attended First Christian Church. While living in Villa Monte Vista Nursing Home, he attended Maranatha Chapel.

He suffered a stroke about 15 years ago, which left him mostly speechless.

In his last year, he resided at Villa Monte Vista Nursing home in Poway, where he was loved and a joy to all. He spent his remaining years sharing his faith in Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord.

Arnold enjoyed hunting, fishing, wood crafts and cutting firewood. He enjoyed tying his own flies for fishing. He also liked gardening and raised beautiful Dahlias. He was an avid Padres fan.

He is survived by a son, Allan (Carol) Solstad; a daughter, Gloria Vockrodt; grandsons, Stephen (Ginger) Masted and Dale Driggs; granddaughters, April (Ken) McGowan and Chelli Zuidema; great-grandchildren, Mallory, Madeline, Seth, Caleb and Mason, along with step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cora Birch; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and his wife of 64 years, Florence Solstad.

The family requests the memorials in Arnold's name be given to White Fields Ministry, P.O. Box 226, Stillwater, MN 55082.