Arnold Baltzer

Arnold Baltzer, age 95, of Madison, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Bethel Lutheran Home.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 AM on Friday, August 23rd at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with visitation one hour prior. A private family inurnment with military honors on Friday afternoon.

Memorials can be sent to the Madison United Methodist Church, 304 N. Egan Ave., Madison, SD 57042 or donor’s choice.

Arnold Nathan Baltzer was born January 30, 1929 in Wessington Springs to Emanuel and Bertha (Redmond) Baltzer. After graduating from Alpena High School in 1947, he served in the Korean War. He worked on the family farm and then graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1958 with a civil engineering degree. He married Nila Potter Norby on July 18, 1965. Together they raised three children. He was resident engineer in Madison, SD for 22 years. In 1982, they moved to Rapid City for his job as the district traffic engineer. They returned to Madison in 1993.

Arnold had a servant’s heart and served in various capacities including: United Methodist Church boards and choir, Kiwanis, Toastmasters, Kiwanis Quartet, Maplewood Men, driving for the VA, Prostrollos, & ICAP just to name a few. In his free time, he enjoyed reading and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife, Nila of Madison; children, Todd (Lori) Norby and Kim (Mike) Pederson both of Madison and Lynn (John) Wollwerth of South Carolina; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Darlene Baltzer of Huron, Karen Potter of Winfred, and Bonnie Callies of Madison and brother-in-law Tom Ristine of Canada.

Arnold was the last of the 11 children. He is now in heaven with Jesus and reunited with his family.