Eric Arneson

Eric A. Arneson, 45, Buffalo, MN, left this world suddenly to join his mother and brother in heaven on Saturday, November 30, 2024.

Funeral services will be Saturday, December 14, at 1:00 p.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt.

Eric Aaron was born November 3, 1979, in Breckenridge, MN, to Steve and Sue (Bilben) Arneson.  Eric attended school at Rosholt Elementary and graduated from Rosholt High School in 1998.  After high school Eric was a free spirit.  He lived briefly in Sioux Falls, SD; Las Vegas, NV; Montana and a few other places he had family ties to, but always made his way back home to Rosholt, where he lived most of his life.  He worked different jobs throughout his life - mostly trade, building and construction - but his agricultural roots ran deep and he helped out on the family farm and at the Rosholt Elevator at different times.

In 2014 Tina Hoen entered Eric's life and shockingly to everyone who knew him, settled him down to domestic life.   They were united in marriage on July 10, 2015, in Sisseton, SD. Eric and Tina lived in Rosholt for a bit where they welcomed their first son Stephen in 2016 before moving to Buffalo, MN, and welcoming their second son Bobby in 2017. Most recently Eric had worked for CCC in Montrose, MN, building floors for prefabricated homes while living a simple life with his wife and kids being a dad and husband while dealing with some unfortunate health issues.

Eric was many things in life - mom's baby boy, the class clown, the life of the party, an artist, an athlete, an avid sports fan, a son, a brother, a friend, husband, father and so much more. Eric had a deep and strong love for family and friends.  He had a huge heart and was always willing to listen, lend a shoulder, or give advice to anyone in need.  He made friends easily, and his humorous and kind personality attracted people to him wherever he went.  He made many friends in Buffalo, and the neighborhood get togethers were full of fun and laughter.

No bond was stronger than the bond of Eric and his two brothers Luke and Jim. Barely a year apart between each of them, there was a long time that you couldn't see or hear or talk about one without including the other two. They made many memories together, some good - some bad, but all unforgettable and some unbelievable.  He had great memories of his big brother Bob and loved him immensely. He spent some time living with Bob, babysitting his niece.  Eric was a fiercely loving big brother to his sisters, teasing them, helping them learn to ride bike, playing video games and practicing wrestling moves on them when they were little and protecting them from everything and everyone as they grew older, whether they wanted him to or not.

Eric's boys were his whole world, and he loved being a dad.  Although his time with his boys was far too short, his big kid personality guaranteed they will have memories to hold on to for a lifetime.  He and his boys loved wrestling together, anything Star Wars and superhero related, watching classic '80s movies together and of course watching and playing sports.  Eric was so excited to see them start participating in sports and helped out coaching. This time of year was one of Eric's favorites; he loved driving around looking at Christmas lights with the boys taking in the magic of the holidays as a family.  In the warmer months, he loved taking the boys and Tina to the local lakes to swim and have family picnics.  His nieces and nephews also loved his big kid personality and lit up when they heard Uncle Eric would be around.

Eric had a love for so many things in this world - WWE wrestling, Chicago Cubs baseball, all music but especially The Doors and Nirvana, drawing, video games, having a drink at his hometown watering hole, animals, and of course making people laugh.  When he was a teenager, Eric loved playing basketball and went to Junior Nationals in Sioux Falls where his team played against future NBA star Mike Miller. Eric's team won.  Eric loved food - especially everything his love Tina whipped up for him.  He also enjoyed cooking. Tina and Eric loved trying out new recipes together. Their dream was to one day travel the world and try different crazy cuisines.

Eric was a deep thinker, always learning and looking at everything in different ways than most.  He also had strong political beliefs.  We all are well aware of what they were, he made sure of it. There were so many different pieces that made up Eric that this could go on for pages.  The main thing to know about Eric in this world was he was larger than life - from his 6' 5" tall frame to his size 16 shoes - he filled it all.  Everything about him was larger than life - his heart, his mind, his personality, his voice, absolutely everything.

Eric is survived by his wife Tina of Buffalo; sons Stephen and Bobby of Buffalo; father Steve Arneson of Rosholt; brothers Bob (Kristy) Hovanec and their daughters Haylee and Heather of Lake Park, MN; Jim (Ashley) Arneson and their children Ayden and Allison of Rosholt; sisters Stephanie (Jason) Koschney and their son Avery of Chokio, MN; Lori (Dillen) Rikimoto and their children Autumn, Dayton and Gabriel of Rosholt; parents-in-law, Herbert and Diane Hoen; brother-in-law, Troy (Lindy) Hoen; sister-in-law, Tricia Hoen; his cats Wrigley and Dennis; his dogs Buzz and Milo; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

Waiting to welcome Eric at the pearly gates are his Mama Sue Arneson; his Brother Luke; his paternal grandparents Luther and Betty Arneson; his maternal grandparents Elvin and Betty Bilben; uncles Elvin and Mike Bilben; aunt Connie Birchem; and his dog Millie.