Middle River – Arvin L. Brekkestran, 74, died Saturday, March 5, 2016.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 9, at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke with Pastor Craig Bowyer presiding. Arvin’s casket bearers were Donovan Dahl, Rick Brekkestran, Randy Brekkestran, Matt Emery, Jeff Brekkestran, and Kevin Brekkestran.  Honoray Bearers were all of Arvin’s many nieces and nephews. Interment services were held at Moose River Cemetery following services with Military Honors accorded by the Middle River American Legion Post 444.
Arvin L. Brekkestran was born on June 24, 1941 in Warren to Leonard and Evelyn (Haugen) Brekkestran.  
He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and was confirmed at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke.  He attended school in Gatzke until the eighth grade and then attended Middle River High School where he graduated from in 1959. 
Following school he worked for Irvin Peterson before being drafted into the Army in 1964. He was discharged from the Army in 1966 and again worked for Irvin Peterson before moving to the twin cities where he worked for Hayden Murphy Equipment Company for a number of years. Arvin then moved back to the Middle River community and went to work for Hydromac in Thief River Falls and then for Arctic Cat where he worked for many years before retiring in 2003.  
Arvin continued to make his home in Middle River before moving into Greenleaf Assisted Living in Thief River Falls in 2011.
Arvin was a member of United Lutheran Church in Gatzke and a member of the Middle River American Legion Post 444. He loved watching sports, playing bingo at the legion, and playing Whist and Yahtzee.
He is survived by three brothers, Wendell (Dora) of Thief River Falls, Galen (Sharon) of Gaylord, Mich., and Dwight (Patty) of Brooks; four sisters, Erma (Larry) Dahl of Middle River, Arlette (Laurel) Majer of Strathcona, Bonnie (Ron) Ward of Gatzke, and Lynnell Talmage of Thief River Falls, along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Earl and Melroy Brekkestran and two sisters Marylys Brekkestran and Janet Olson.
An online guest book is available at www.collinsfunerals.com.