Obituary of Garnett M. Arnold

ARNOLD, Garnett M.

Age 94, of Lakeville, MN, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2020, after a brief illness.  She was born on August 24, 1926, in Galt, Missouri, to Roy and Leona Southers.  A child of the Depression, she learned self-sacrifice at an early age and eventually devoted her life to caring for others.  Garnett settled in Valparaiso, IN, where she lived till shortly after her husband’s death, then moved to Minnesota to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.  She loved music, and her eyes, usually twinkling, fairly sparkled when she reminisced about dancing with her husband at the “Snappy Service” in Trenton, MO as a young couple.  Though quiet and shy by nature, her homespun grace and good humor endeared her to everyone, whether lifelong friends or complete strangers with whom she shared only brief moments in passing.  She was self-effacing, unassuming, and accepting of everything life threw at her, however difficult or painful; and she will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.   Garnett was preceded in death by her husband, John Arnold; brothers, Charles Southers and Edgar Southers; sisters, Opal Garriott, Helen Schwartz, Hazel Williams, Pearle Brice, and Kathryn Hague; daughter, Linda Rein, and granddaughter, Paige Breunig.  She is survived by her grandchildren, Shannon Breen (Eric) and Ian MacKinnon (Allison); great granddaughter, Parker Paige MacKinnon; son in law, Stan Rein (Jane); step-grandchildren, Gabe Rein (Kim) and Leah Rein (Deano Cacciapalle); step-great grandchildren, Harrison Rein and Audrey Rein; former son in law, Leonard MacKinnon; and many nieces, nephews and friends.   Memorial plans are pending and will be published at a later date.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Paige Lynne Breunig and Linda Revae Rein Memorial Fund of the Lynne Cohen Foundation, Santa Monica, CA; Alive & Kickin, Minneapolis, MN; or the donor’s favorite charity.