Marian L. Mcarthur

Marian L. McArthur, 85, of Humboldt, passed away March 29, 2011 at the Humboldt Care Center South.  Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Gene Broughton and Rev. Matthew Manz officiating.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt.  Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday (today) at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.

Marian Leone Thorn, the daughter of Paul and Mabel (Larsen) Thorn, was born March 5, 1926 at Bradgate, Iowa. As a child, she moved with her family to Humboldt then to Rutland.   She graduated from Rutland High School in 1944 where she excelled as a guard on the basketball team.  She married Anker Nielsen and the couple made their home briefly at Rutland before moving to Humboldt. In addition to raising her children, Marian was also employed by Prime Electric, Hoods Super Value, Cody’s Grocery, and Foodland.  She also served as the hostess at the Holiday Inn in Fort Dodge.  On June 4, 1978, she was united in marriage to Norman “Mac” McArthur and the couple continued to make their home in Humboldt.  In 2005, they made their home at Springvale Assisted Living and in 2008, Mr. McArthur passed away.  In June of 2008, she became a resident of the Humboldt Care Center South.

Marian was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt and the VFW Auxiliary.  She and Mac took great pride in their grandchildren and didn’t miss their activities regardless of the weather.  She also enjoyed helping her children with household projects and baking at Christmas time.

Marian is survived by her children, Patty (Dave) Ersland of Humboldt, Becky (Bruce) Ruby of Humboldt, Bob (Michelle) Nielsen of Humboldt, and Jim (Annette) Nielsen of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, Michael Ruby, Chad Ruby, Tony Ersland, Ryan Ersland, Mindy Johannsen, and Jason Nielsen; great grandchildren, Mayzie Ruby, Brody Ruby, Lauryn Johannsen, Kennedy Nielsen, Mason Ersland, and Jaxon Ersland; step children, Mark (Chris) McArthur of Hampton, and Margie McArthur of Mason City; brothers, Rodger (Sharon) Thorn of Fort Dodge, and Melvin Thorn of Rutland; sisters, Mildred Steineck of Boone, Mary Lee (Delbert) Ingalls of Alleman, IA, Joyce (Wayne) Goos of Boone, and Dianne Christianson of Newport Beach, CA.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Anker Nielsen and Norman McArthur; brothers, Bill and Jerry Thorn; and sister, Violet Ahrens.