Arvid Wendland, 78

Peoria, Ariz. Arvid Wendland, formerly of Blue Earth, passed away on July 6, 2015, in Peoria, Ariz.

Arvid was born June 28, 1937 on a small farm in McLeod County near New Auburn. He was the youngest of five children. He began attending school in a one room country school in Sibley County. He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1954. At just 17, he became the first member of his family to attend college. He went to the University of Minnesota and majored in agriculture. While in college, Arvid met Kay Mattson, of Vernon Center, who he would marry in September of 1960. After college, Arvid served two years in the military. He was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Maine. Arvid worked at Production Credit Association in Janesville, Wisconsin for two years before deciding to attend law school at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated with honors in 1965. He began his law career working as the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota at the Capitol building in St. Paul.

In 1969 Arvid and Kay moved to Blue Earth, to join the law practice of Donald J. Callaghan. In the coming years he would lead the law firm and raise his three sons. He served as Faribault County Attorney from 1971-1991. He sold the practice in 2000 and retired from practicing law in 2004. He was a member of the Blue Earth Lions Club for more then 30 years and the organizer of a flying club at the local airport. He was a 20 year member of the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce and its president in 1978. His family were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Arvid and Kay moved to Peoria, Ariz. in August of 2014.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Kay; three sons, Paul (Lee), of Canton Mich., Mike, of Minneapolis and Brad (Kim), of Waseca.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Hilmer and Ellsworth; and his sisters Agnes and Agatha.

Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Valley Team #1 SNF 1510 E. Flowers St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Memorial service will be held Feb. 6, 2016, at the Unitarian church of Sun City, Ariz.