Obituary of Arnold and Rosemary Hattling

Arnold Junior Hattling, nicked-named Sonny by his mother, was born September 13, 1934, in Roseau, MN to Arnold and Gota (Mellstrom) Hattling. Arnold served in the United States Army from December 1954 to 1957 as a Reconnaissance Helicopter Mechanic. When asked about the hardest experience he endured during his time in Korea, he replied “Being away from my girl, Rose.” From 1958-1962, he served in the United States Army Reserves. Arnold worked for the State of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety from 1952 until his retirement in 1994.

Rosemary (Lucas) Hattling was born June 24, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN to Charles and Grace (Flynn) Lucas. Rosemary worked for Pillsbury Company, Target, and Dayton’s Warehouse, where she retired from in 1997.

Arnold and Rosemary were married on September 6, 1958. They built a beautiful home in Andover, Minnesota in 1971, where they raised their 5 children.

Arnold was a loyal and humble man who could talk to anyone and he especially loved to talk about cars. He could fix anything! He could always be found in the garage. He had a 1965 Mustang he proudly restored. He loved Sunday drives.

Rosemary was a sweet woman who loved visiting with others, going to church, hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for many years, and baking Christmas cookies. Her children’s friends adored her. Rose loved sharing secrets you felt were just for you.

After retirement, Arnold enjoyed riding his bicycle for many years and Rose enjoyed talking to family and friends on the phone and shopping. Together they enjoyed taking trips to visit family and friends, walking the trails of Gooseberry Falls, going to the casino to spend a roll of quarters, and going out for lunch.

Family was everything to Arnold and Rosemary. They loved spending time with their 5 children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren, and 12.5 great grandchildren. They were always there to support their loved ones and had a way of making all of them feel uniquely special. Everyone looked forward to a call on their birthday with the two of them singing ‘Happy Birthday’ out of tune. Arnold and Rosemary were inseparable and always holding hands. Arnold tirelessly cared for Rosemary until the very end. He was especially strong when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Arnold passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020 with all of his children able to say their goodbyes. Daughters Marie, Deborah, and Sarah were blessed to be with him. Rosemary passed away peacefully shortly thereafter, on January 4, 2021, with her four daughters by her side and her son, Tim, in her heart.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Gota (Mellstrom) Hattling, and his sister Lois Hattling.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Grace (Flynn) Lucas, and her brother, Leonard Lucas.

Arnold is survived by his sister, Gloria (Fred) Dobesh, and brother, Roger (Kathy) Hattling. Rosemary is survived by her brother, George Lucas. Arnold and Rosemary were loving caregivers to her brother, George.

Arnold and Rosemary are survived by their children, Marie (Rory) Schlichter, Deborah (Downs) Tyler, Timothy (Suzanne) Hattling, Sarah (Dave) Drossel, and Penny (Jerry) Novotny; grandchildren, Grace, Angela, Mary, Rory, Samantha, Alex, Alyssa, Nick, Lucas, Zack, Gunner, Jake, Sam, Will, and Katie; and great grandchildren, River, Titan, April, Hailey, Riley, Emily, Brooklynn, Jaiden, Maverick, Nash, Shepard, Mara, and Baby Boy Taylor due in May.

A special thank you to the staff of Autumn Glen Senior Living in Coon Rapids, Minnesota and to the doctors, nurses, and care team on 3 West at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minnesota for their loving and compassionate care of Arnold and Rose.

A Catholic Mass, with a burial at Fort Snelling, will be celebrated in their memory at a later date. The family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Arnold and Rosemary Hattling to Mayo Clinic Department of Development (200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905) for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Research.