Arnold J. Liestman
Feb. 8, 1927 - Dec. 21, 2007
PAYNESVILLE -- Arnold John Liestman, 80, of Paynesville, formerly of New London, died Friday at his home.
The service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Crow River Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade. Burial will be in Lebanon Cemetery in New London.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson Funeral Home in New London and one hour prior to the service at the church.
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He was born Feb. 8, 1927, in Paynesville to Ben and Hattie (Zirbes) Liestman. He grew up in Paynesville where he attended school. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946, serving in the South Pacific during World War II.
He married Theresa Lang on Sept. 26, 1946, in Rosco. They moved in 1952 to New London where he owned and operated the Hometown Bakery. His wife died July 24, 1973.
He married Doris Johnson in October 1974. Later in his career he owned and operated the Town Talk Restaurant and Bakery in Willmar as well as working as a baker for Super Valu, Red Owl and the Willmar Regional Treatment Center, where he retired in 1995. In his retirement he worked for his niece at Jody's Hometown Bakery in Paynesville.
On Nov. 5, 1994, he married Virginia McKean. They lived in Paynesville.
He was a member of Crow River Lutheran Church, New London Senior Center, the New London American Legion and volunteered at the ROSE Center in Paynesville.
He is survived by his wife; daughters: Jackie Nelson of Owatonna and Joy (and Jim) Allen of Mesa, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings: Evange (and Ervin) Gunderson of Eureka, Calif., twin brother Art (and Pat) Liestman of Paynesville, Donna Warner of Paynesville, Lila Westman of Crosby, Joan (and George) Wicklund of Spicer and David (and Bonnie) Liestman of Eureka, Mont.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Theresa; daughter: Jeannie Marie; one brother; and one sister.
