Arlen Hefta

   On January 23, Arlen Neil Hefta passed away due to COVID-induced pneumonia at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.  

   Arlen was born in Mayville, ND on May 23, 1958 to Allen and Ardella Hefta. He attended Wilder Elementary, Valley Junior High, and Central High School, all in Grand Forks, ND. Arlen enrolled at NDSU in Fargo in 1976 and graduated in 1980 with a BS in Industrial Engineering. Finding a position with Phillips Petroleum, Arlen left North Dakota to work in Cut Bank, MT, Williston, ND, and Odessa, TX as a safety specialist. In 1988, the Nelson family farm needed a manager-operator and Arlen jumped at the chance to leave Texas and return to ND to farm. In partnership with his younger brother, Dean, they farmed and raised cattle near Mayville, ND.  They stayed in this partnership throughout Arlen’s life.

   On August 16th, 1997, Arlen married Sonja Petersen, a PK (Pastor’s Kid) from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Making their home on the family homestead, they raised 3 daughters, Ingrid, Signe, and Anneliese. 

   Arlen enjoyed hunting, fishing, firearms, and non-fiction reading. He regularly went on hunting and fishing trips with his brothers. Bagging an elk near Hatton was a big highlight of his life! He was skilled at mechanical projects and applied his engineering background to farming. 

   Arlen leaves behind his wife: Sonja; his daughters: Ingrid, Signe and Anneliese; his parents: Allen and Ardella Hefta of Grand Forks; his siblings: Kerry (David) Crawford of Colorado Springs, CO, Kristine (Richard) Brindle of Castle Rock, CO, Julie (Allan) Harris of Castle Rock, CO, Dean Hefta of Mayville, ND, Greg (Lori) Hefta of Crookston, MN, and Mark (Laura) Hefta of Parker, CO; and many nephews and nieces.

   He was preceded in death by a brother, Ross Hefta. 

Visitation:  Will be 5–7 PM with a 6:30 public prayer service on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial Service: Will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.