Arnie Doell of Davidson passed away on August 31, 2020, at the Davidson Health Centre.
Arnie was born on a farm near Elbow, the fourth eldest in a family of five boys and five girls. As with most farm kids, he began at an early age doing chores and working in the field. He attended Rosemae, a nearby rural school for eight years.
He bought his first half-section of land while in his teens. To supplement his income he became a grader operator for R.M. of Willner. Later he operated large earthmoving equipment during the building of Gardiner Dam.
Arnie met a school teacher, Yvonne Krakowka and they were married on August 18. On July 10, 1967, their life was changed with the arrival of their daughter, Colette.
Arnie and his partner, Dan Puckett, started up a company Puckett and Doell Earthmoving, at first digging farm dugouts and then building municipal roads and parts of No. 11 highway. Arnie continued farming as well, and later with his wife Yvonne owned and operated Sam’s Steakhouse for 3 years. Never one to sit still in
retirement, Arnie enjoyed pumping gas, washing windows and visiting with customers at Gunner’s Gas, owned by his grandson Chris.
Arnie enjoyed travelling and with their young daughter Colette visited numerous vacation spots around the world. During semi-retirement they toured much of Canada and U.S.A., in their fifth wheel. Colette and her three children, Chris, Chelsea, and Chantelle, often accompanied them as well.
Arnie and Yvonne finally settled in Mesa, Arizona, where they spent the last 22 winters. Arnie enjoyed golfing and fishing. He especially enjoyed ocean fishing near Alaska and P.E.I.
Arnie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Yvonne, his daughter Colette; his grandchildren Chris (Natasha Larsh), Chelsea (Jonathan Powell), and Chantelle (Kyle Toner); his great-grandchildren Sebastien and Brielle Larsh-Cline; Isaac, Nixon, and Hudson Powell; and Ellie Toner. He is fondly remembered by his sisters Gladys (Roy)
Walters, Rose (Gordon) Biddle, Jennie Anderson and Faye Schneider and his brothers Jerry, Arthur and Wayne (Judy) Doell, and by Yvonne’s sisters Sylvia Lauderdale and Delphine Wittrock.
Arnie was predeceased by his parents Peter and Annie Doell, grandson baby Charles Cline, sister Elsie Elias, brother Lorne and brother-in-law Alf Schneider, Harry Elias, Bob Anderson, Bob Lauderdale and Tom Wittrock.
His grandchildren will remember him as their father-figure seemingly stern yet soft-hearted and generous. They could count on him for unconditional support when it was needed. A rather private person, Arnie had a few close and special friends.
A family graveside service was held at Davidson Cemetery on Saturday, September 5. Pastor Joshua Winters presided.
