Dr. Arne N. Langsjoen

Age 98. Retired professor and former head of the Chemistry Department at Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN.  Arne was both an athlete and a scholar in school, earning multiple letters in both football and gymnastics, winning the state tumbling championship, and graduating valedictorian of his class in 1942. He met Carol Lorraine Gaustad while a student at Gustavus.  They married in 1943 and raised 3 children.

Arne served in the Army during World War II, then returned to obtain his Ph.D. in Organic and Biological Chemistry from the University of Iowa.  In 1948 he joined the faculty at Gustavus, becoming department head in 1954.  Arne loved to teach and was beloved by his students.  He received the Edgar M Carlson Award for Innovative Teaching in 1977, and the College Chemistry Teacher Award from the American Chemical Society in 1985, the year he retired.  He will be remembered as a man of boundless energy, a positive attitude, and a passion for life.

Arne is survived by sister Alma, daughter Karen, son Peter (Cheryl), daughter-in-law Gail Langsjoen, eleven grandchildren: John and Rebecca (Jeff Moeller) Zins, Kent, Kirk, Zellah, Sam, David, Anna, Phillip, Jeremiah, and Dinah Langsjoen; and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Carol, son Thor, son-in-law Eugene Zins, brothers Harold, Odin, Leif, Verner and Ralph, and by sister Gertrude.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am on Friday, October 6, 2017 at First Lutheran Church, St. Peter with visitation one hour prior. Memorials may be given to Gustavus Adolphus College: Arne & Carol Langsjoen Chemistry Endowment or First Lutheran Church. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.