Arie D Van Reese

Arie David Van Reese age 75, of Hoyt Lakes, MN, died in his home the morning of June 30, 2020, surrounded by his wife and three daughters.

He was born February 22, 1945 in Albert Lea, MN to Leonard and Barbara (Giedd) Van Reese.

Arie moved to Duluth as a child and lived in the Homecroft area where he attended school.  He met his bride and they were married in Watertown, SD June 12, 1971. He made a living as a Tuckpointer and was a member of the Bricklayers & Trowel Trades, there are many area buildings, schools and churches that reflect his skill and attention to detail, sandblasting and brick work.  In his off months, he would travel to the southern states for work, operated a pulp truck and cut lumber, drove OTR or restored vehicles. He left people in awe with his passion and knowledge of cars/trucks and restoring any make or model, rebuilding motors and his ability to perform flawless bodywork.  He worked on and rebuilt many chimneys in the Duluth area and we see his signature marks on many structures around town and outlying areas. He enjoyed fishing in his boat, especially on the quiet lakes with his wife, catching some great Walleye for dinner. Arie is known for playing cribbage, he was hard to beat.  He taught everyone cards, every family gathering always got a big cribbage game going. He loved solitaire and played almost every morning with coffee. He sure loved his grandbabies and was at their mercy while playing go fish and war, also loved playing a good game of checkers. Many memories of him eating tomatoes and cukes straight from the garden, watching his plants grow.  His greatest joy was sitting in his chair, watching a chaotic house filled with all the kids, while his wife cooked and he had everybody home. He was loved, spoiled and taken care of by his wife, he was a lucky man. He taught us lessons of life, he loved us unconditionally and was always there when we needed him...which was all the time. He was the first one to plow your driveway, sharpen a lawn blade, build your beach, level your dirt, fix your furnace, help you move, start your car, help a neighbor (they all adored him), sheetrock your house, pull you out of the ditch, change your oil, ride a twisted roller coaster, grow a mean tomato, cut wood, bait your hook...this list is never ending.

His kids never went without a car, always had money in their pockets and learned from the best.  He was a hard worker and loved his family to no end. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Lillian Chesley, Dorothy Carignan, Ila Gruber and Carol Johnson, brothers: Leonard and Mike Van Reese.  In-laws James and Evelyn Hosking and also a grandson, Brayden Torrance.

Arie is survived by his wife and love of over 50 years, Kristine, daughters: Theresa (Nevada) Torrance, Amy Doll and Tiffany Hinchliffe.  Grandchildren: Cory Van Reese (Brittany), Taylor Torrance-Grund, Presley Torrance, Skyler and Drake Doll (with their father Andy Doll), Cash and Kelso Hinchliffe (with their father Vince Hinchliffe), his great-granddaughter Brooke and sisters: Donna (Roger) Running of Duluth, MN and Barb (Roger) Ojala of Milaca, MN.  He will also be greatly missed by his furbaby and ‘lil girl, Bella. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Essentia East Range Hospice, Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home, and All our loved ones that have reached out to our family during this time.

Life will go on, but will never quite be the same...