Arnold D. Nellis

Arnold David Nellis, age 65 of Aurora passed away May 12th, 2011. Known as Arnie to friends & family, he was born on June 16th 1945 in Grand Rapids, MN. The son of Philip & Lois Nellis, he was a 1963 graduate of Grand Rapids High where "Mule" was Student class president, honored by Kiwanis for leadership, and played basketball, cross country, and baseball. He attended Bemidji State University earning a Bachelor of Science in English and Physical Education minor in 1968, returning in 1990 for a Bachelor of Science in History. His teaching career was inspired (we believe) by a little country school in Wendigo and began in 1968 at Karlstad High and continued at Aurora Hoyt Lakes / Mesabi East from 1970-1977, 1988 - 2010. A multi talented man, with a clever dry wit, and a penchant for giving great nicknames, his numerous accomplishments included developing a creative writing program & American traditions course. His greatest teaching contribution was his genuine care & connection for his students. Arnie was also an Entrepreneur operating a roofing business for 45+ years, and a wood bundling business. Arnie had many interests including his records & book collections and love of Civil War history. He loved to spend time in the outdoors whether it was at his hunting property (the beloved "Shack") in northern MN, fishing with his sons, blueberry picking, picking princess pine for his famous Christmas wreathes, or agate hunting on the North shore and remote roads all across MN with his dog Brittany at his side. He had a deep respect & connection with nature. He also had a passion for baseball. He played for Grand Rapids, coached for A-HL, and had amazing knowledge of the game. He was an encyclopedia of baseball history (go Cubs!), statistics & facts! He had great love for his family. He loved the holidays and inspired his family to establish many holiday traditions. He was a loving husband and amazing dad and grandpa. He taught us all lessons in love. He was passionate, keenly intelligent & principled, and will be dearly missed. Arnie and Jeani, and three sons all held hands as he left this world. "I said to the man at the gate of the Year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown!" And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That will be better for you than light and safer than a known way" (Unknown) Arnold is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Jeani; three sons, Troy Nellis of St. Cloud, Grant (Maria) Nellis of Delano, Chad (Kayla) Nellis of Rice; Six Grandchildren (Alex, Rachel, Hannah, Ben, Addison and Ellery); his mother Lois Nellis of Grand Rapids, and Brother Gary (Sandi) Nellis of Panama City, FL. Arnold is preceded in death by his father Philip. Visitation: Sunday, May 15 from 2-4pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Memorial service 1pm Monday at the Aurora Community Center. Memorials may be directed to Mesabi East High School C/O Janel Leete, 601 N. 1st Ave. W., Aurora, MN 55705