Arnold Leritz

March 26, 1956 – November 5, 2021 Arnold (Arnie) Gene Leritz, age 65, Menahga, A lifelong Minnesota area resident, passed into eternal life on Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Mayo Hospital - St. Mary’s Campus due to Covid – Pneumonia and Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Arnie was born on March 26, 1956, in Wadena, Minnesota to Mathias and Lorraine (French) Leritz. Arnie grew up in Midway, MN on the family farm with his brothers and sisters. Arnie graduated high school at Frazee Minnesota in 1974. After High School, Arnie started in construction, working on turkey barns. He met Brenda Brooks in 1976 at a restaurant in Blooming Prairie. After construction, Arnie drove milk truck for Rife's Trucking before driving Semi Truck for Daggets and becoming an OTR truck driver. Arnie and his dear friend Joe Garner drove a cross the country. In 1978, Arnie and Brenda were wed at First Lutheran Church, in Menahga, MN. They were blessed with four sons; Eric, Jonathan, Randy and Christopher. After being forced to retire at Daggets in 1979 due to a back injury, Arnie and his family lived in Sebeka helping out the Rife Sod Farm. Arnie and his family then moved to Nevis, MN in 1990 and had a hobby farm which included beef cows, pigs, and chickens. While in Nevis, Arnie was permanent fixture in the farming community around Nevis. Arnie then moved back out to Midway in 1999, after buying the family farm. It was here that Arnie was able to regain his love for driving. Buying his own Semi Truck and being an owner/ operator while leased on to Cuzins Express. In 2015, Arnie had a heart attack which ended his career of being an owner/ operator. Over the last 6 years, Arnie enjoyed farming with his friends. Arnie was an outstanding, outspoken, hardworking man. Arnie passed his time by enjoying his family and friends, camping, hunting and was a participant in the Annual Grouse Hunt in Akeley, MN for nearly 20 years, fishing with everyone that he could take with him including going to Canada with his friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh that will be missed and never forgotten. He loved to tell stories, and tried to joke around as much as possible. He will be lovingly remembered by his sons: Eric Leritz of Menahga, MN, Randy (Candy) Leritz of Park Rapids, MN, and Christopher (Ashley) Leritz of Menahga, MN, brothers: David Leritz of Menahga, MN, Tim (Debbie) Leritz of Menahga, MN, and Steve Leritz of Wadena, MN, and a sister; Sheila Leritz of Wadena, MN. Nine grandchildren: Jacob, Devan, Jenna, Jesse, Rozene, Tyler, Blake, Christopher Jr, and Jaxson. One great grand son, Elliott. As well as many other extended family members and blessed friends. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents: Mathias and Lorraine (French) Leritz, sister, Judy, nephew, Gary, infant son, Jonathan, and grand daughter, Jaslynn. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.co