Arlo Lee Raatz

Arlo Lee Raatz, age 80, of Madelia, died on July 30, 2023 at Living Meadows in Madelia.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel in St. James. Memorial service will be held at the Madelia United Methodist Church in Madelia on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

Arlo was born July 3, 1943 to Fred and Lorena (Koffarnus) Raatz in Fairmont, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Trimont, Minnesota. In 1960, he married Shirley Garten. Together, they raised three boys on a farm near Hanska. In 1979, they moved to Madelia and in 1990 they moved to New Ulm. Shirley died in 2007. In 2009, Arlo married Judy Sanhueza in St. James.

Arlo worked at 3M in New Ulm for 33 years, retiring in 2002. Arlo enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who he loved dearly. He enjoyed deer hunting every fall with his family at the Celander farm. Arlo also spent many hours fishing and ice fishing. He loved working on his classic cars and pickups and was a member of the local antique car club. Arlo’s true passion was farming, spending every spring and fall working for his sister and nephew doing fieldwork on the Celander farm. When relaxing, he enjoyed his dogs and kitten and coffee every morning with friends at the Home Town Café.

Arlo is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Kevin (Jean) of Willmar, Minnesota, Kurt (Luz) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Kris (Lanna) of Hanska, Minnesota; grandchildren, Khia (Cody) Kinney, Jonathan Raatz, Grace (Tyler Schmeising) Raatz, Brittney (Mat) Schmeising, Spencer (Sam) Raatz, and Tori Raatz; great grandchildren, Paxton and Elias; step-children, Tim (Julie) Haugen, Teresa (Jim) Gorman, and Tom (Shelly) Haugen; step-granddaughter, Cambria; and many nieces and nephews.

Arlo was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; sisters, Marabelle Celander Lindell and Violet Bretzman; and brothers-in-law, Richard Celander, Roger Lindell, and Arlo Bretzman.

The family prefers memorials be given to the Watonwan County Humane Society. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.