1925
Arnold
2008
Arnold Henjum
June 15, 1925 — March 5, 2008
Arnold Eugene Henjum, son of Eddie and Irene (Urbatch) Henjum, was born on June 15, 1925 in Hoffman, Minnesota, where he was raised on a farm near Hoffman. He attended and graduated from Hoffman High School and continued his education at Augsburg College, where he met his wife Irene Shelstad. The couple was united in marriage on June 9, 1949. Following Arnold's graduation from Augsburg College, he began a 43 year teaching career and he was proud to say he enjoyed every day he taught. Initially he was a high school teacher and coach and after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, he taught at the University of Minnesota Morris for 26 years, before retiring in 1992.
Arnie never forgot where he was from and he had a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for rural Minnesotans. In 1967, he developed a credit-certification for Head Start teachers that involved five Head Start Agencies and trained 100 teachers each year. In the early 1970's he created and taught human relations workshops with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and minority concerns, long before it was fashionable. He developed a series of nationally recognized workshops on stress, targeting farmers and rural business people. In 1974, he created and directed the highly acclaimed West Central Institute for Creative Study, now called the Henjum Creative Study Institute, for gifted junior and senior high students.
Arnie had a life long love of sports and he believed everyone should exercise every day. He received many accolades for sports success in high school and college. Later in his life, he could be found golfing with his friends at Pomme de Terre Country Club from early spring until the snow kept him off the tee in the late fall.
Arnie will be remembered for his hearty laugh that was easily triggered by a good joke; his love of family, golf and teaching (but not always in that order); and his belief in the potential of young people to excell. Arnie was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Morris, the Morris Lions Club, past president of the Pomme de Terre Golf Club, MN Association of Teacher Educators and Luther Crest Bible Camp Board.
Arnold died on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at West Wind Village in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 82 years.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene; three children: LeeAnn (Gary) Ott of Kalispell, MT, Dr. Brian (Pam) Henjum of Maple Plain and Barbara Henjum (Jeff Brownlee) of Eagle River, AK; eight grandchildren: Mark (Heidi) Ellis, Ross Ellis, John Ellis, Matthew Henjum, Michael Henjum, Annalis Brownlee, Jacob Brownlee and Kevin (Trina) Bloemendaal; four great-grandchildren: Madisyn Ellis, Brittany Gustafson, Kaela Bloemendaal and Cameron Bloemendaal; two sisters: LaVille (Harvey) Larson of Bozeman, MT and Harriet (Howard) Neitzel of Moorhead and three brothers: Maynard (Marian) Henjum of Minneapolis, Harvey (Marie) Henjum of Apple Valley and Raymond Henjum of Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister-in-law and one nephew.
Pallbearers for the service are Arnie's grandchildren: Mark Ellis, Ross Ellis, John Ellis, Matthew Henjum, Michael Henjum, Kevin Bloemendaal, Annalis Brownlee and Jacob Brownlee. Honorary pallbearers are: Leo Perreault, Tom McRoberts, Roger McCannon, Harold Fohl, Mark Fohl, Bud Stahman, Clyde Johnson and Cal Mattheis. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Mary Huebner serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials Suggestions include: to the Dr. Arnold Henjum Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota, Morris, Lakeland Hospice or First Lutheran church in Morris
Arnie never forgot where he was from and he had a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for rural Minnesotans. In 1967, he developed a credit-certification for Head Start teachers that involved five Head Start Agencies and trained 100 teachers each year. In the early 1970's he created and taught human relations workshops with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and minority concerns, long before it was fashionable. He developed a series of nationally recognized workshops on stress, targeting farmers and rural business people. In 1974, he created and directed the highly acclaimed West Central Institute for Creative Study, now called the Henjum Creative Study Institute, for gifted junior and senior high students.
Arnie had a life long love of sports and he believed everyone should exercise every day. He received many accolades for sports success in high school and college. Later in his life, he could be found golfing with his friends at Pomme de Terre Country Club from early spring until the snow kept him off the tee in the late fall.
Arnie will be remembered for his hearty laugh that was easily triggered by a good joke; his love of family, golf and teaching (but not always in that order); and his belief in the potential of young people to excell. Arnie was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Morris, the Morris Lions Club, past president of the Pomme de Terre Golf Club, MN Association of Teacher Educators and Luther Crest Bible Camp Board.
Arnold died on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at West Wind Village in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 82 years.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene; three children: LeeAnn (Gary) Ott of Kalispell, MT, Dr. Brian (Pam) Henjum of Maple Plain and Barbara Henjum (Jeff Brownlee) of Eagle River, AK; eight grandchildren: Mark (Heidi) Ellis, Ross Ellis, John Ellis, Matthew Henjum, Michael Henjum, Annalis Brownlee, Jacob Brownlee and Kevin (Trina) Bloemendaal; four great-grandchildren: Madisyn Ellis, Brittany Gustafson, Kaela Bloemendaal and Cameron Bloemendaal; two sisters: LaVille (Harvey) Larson of Bozeman, MT and Harriet (Howard) Neitzel of Moorhead and three brothers: Maynard (Marian) Henjum of Minneapolis, Harvey (Marie) Henjum of Apple Valley and Raymond Henjum of Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister-in-law and one nephew.
Pallbearers for the service are Arnie's grandchildren: Mark Ellis, Ross Ellis, John Ellis, Matthew Henjum, Michael Henjum, Kevin Bloemendaal, Annalis Brownlee and Jacob Brownlee. Honorary pallbearers are: Leo Perreault, Tom McRoberts, Roger McCannon, Harold Fohl, Mark Fohl, Bud Stahman, Clyde Johnson and Cal Mattheis. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Mary Huebner serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials Suggestions include: to the Dr. Arnold Henjum Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota, Morris, Lakeland Hospice or First Lutheran church in Morris
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