Arnold Walter Nielsen

With his sons and a caring medical team by his side, Arnie passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, after a period of declining health and fatigue. He lived a remarkable 94 years and will be deeply missed by his family, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family.

Sons: Terry (Sheila), Daryl (Dianne), Brent (Leanne)

Grandchildren: Tara (Jordan), Krista (Derek), Angela (Matthew), Lisa (Richard), Julie, Curtis (Stephanie), Jared (Dreanne), Nigel

Great Grandchildren: Elliot, Ethan, Charlotte, Boden, Jackson, Oaklyn, Karsten, Linden, Beckett, Willow, Wynsloe, Lakelyn

In Laws: Yvonne Nielsen; Louis Schock; Shirley Schock; Sharon Schock; Sylvia (John) Medvesky; Joyce Guay, Doreen Feduniw; Dail (Bill) Fusick; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Extended Family: Kym (Bruce) Whalen, Lorne Gill, Cheryl (Ralph) Wolff, Brenda Gill, Maureen (Don) Hayward, Dale Gill.

Arnie was predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Louise (Schock); sister Eileen; brother Lawrence; parents Peter & Myrtle; Louise’s parents George & Myrtle Schock; brothers-in-law Stanley Schock, Lawrence Schock, Leonard Schock, Noel Guay, Arsen Feduniw; sisters-in-law Connie Schock, Leona Schock, and partner Georgette (Georgi) Gill nee Tetu.

A Life Well Lived

Born in Canwood SK, Arnie attended school in Shell Lake SK, with his brother Lawrence. His career began in a hardware store followed by Saskatchewan Department of Highways (Surveying), before he found his calling in the lumber business. He rose quickly through the ranks, working in Spiritwood SK, Prince Albert SK, Thunder Bay ON, and Rivers MB, and retired in 1995 as Manager of North America Lumber (NAL) in Fort Frances. His wife Louise, married in 1951, worked at the Fort Frances Clinic until her passing in 1988. After retiring in 1995, Arnie and his then partner Georgi Gill managed and renovated the Manitou Weather Station north of Fort Frances. Following Georgi’s passing in 2012, Arnie moved to Pilot Butte, Saskatchewan, to live with his youngest son Brent and wife Leanne, enjoying five years of community at the Sunset Seniors Centre. In 2018 he relocated to Saskatoon living at Primrose Chateau, near his eldest son Terry and family, who he called upon for support when needed. Arnie looked forward to frequent FaceTime visits with his son Daryl from Winnipeg, who called nearly every day for 10-years.

Arnie was known as an ambassador and “Mr. Fixit” at Primrose, always ready to help others with repairs and inventive solutions. He loved helping people, especially with his superior carpentry skills in stair-building, custom building cabins, building houses & projects for his NAL customers/friends/family, cabinets, truss rafters, sheds, docks. He advised and taught his sons the skills of building as he knew everything about working and building with wood.

Arnie loved curling, playing cribbage (once achieving a perfect 29 hand in a tournament), camping, Rainy Lake boating, and cheering for the Fort Frances Muskies, Winnipeg Jets, and Blue Jays. He was a member of the Legion and Moose Club, enjoyed billiards and socializing. His favourite places were the Spot Supper Club, Sha Sha Resort, Almost Lindies, Border Bar, and the various International Falls lodges.

Scheduled Ceremonies

Private cremation has taken place, and he requested inurnment in the Fort Frances Riverview Cemetery to join Louise. The family is planning an online Celebration of Life in spring 2026 to be determined.

Charitable contributions

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Royal University Hospital.

Cherished Memories is honoured to be entrusted with Mr. Arnold Nielsen's care and arrangements.