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Obituary: Arnold Woodring
Author: Family of Arnold Woodring

Arnold Woodring

Family of Arnold Woodring

September 2, 1934 – May 11, 2026

Arnold Joseph Woodring was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He lived an incredible 91 years of life, passing away at his home in Townsend in the early hours of Monday, May 11, 2026, with his wife of 72 years and his children by his side.

Arnold was born on September 2, 1934, to Ralph and Alma Woodring in Doland, South Dakota. He was the oldest of six boys. He spent his childhood helping his parents work their farm in Clyde Park, Montana, and graduated from high school in Clyde Park in 1952.

Arnold met his wife, Lorraine, when they were in high school. Lorraine mentioned to her friend that she was interested in Arnold, but didn’t know how to express her interest, as she was somewhat of a tomboy. Her friend suggested pushing her desk in front of him when he was walking by her, and the rest – as they say – is history. They married on February 27, 1954. Arnold and Lorraine eventually moved from South Dakota to Livingston, Montana where they welcomed three children – Larry, Susan, and Robin. They later returned to Redfield, South Dakota and welcomed two more daughters, Janet and Jerri. The family then moved to Chester, Montana, while Jerri was an infant, then to Shelby, Montana, before finally settling in Townsend, Montana.

Arnold began long-haul trucking in the late 1950s, hauling logs in Livingston, Montana, followed by hauling cattle in the early 1960s out of South Dakota, then settling in with Dick Irvin Trucking in the mid-1960s. In 1976, he was awarded the Montana State Driver of the Year award. He worked for Dick Irvin Trucking until the early 1980s, when he purchased his own truck and continued to drive until the mid-1990s, when he retired. In fact, Arnold enjoyed retirement so much that he did it three times! Arnold and Dick would remain lifelong friends and would reminisce about how good the first drivers with the company were – they would show up for work with their overalls under one arm and their toolbox in the other. Arnold also talked about changing bearings in a transmission in a farmer’s barn near Calgary, Alberta.

Arnold and Lorraine thoroughly enjoyed their retirement together, traveling in their motor home, covering the southern U.S., eventually settling in Wellton, Arizona at the Tier Drop RV Park, where they passed the time with family and friends. Arnold especially loved to play horseshoes and even won tournaments held at the park. He and Lorraine traveled to Wellton every winter and returned home from their last winter there shortly before his death.

Arnold is survived by his children and their families. The oldest, Larry (Buffy) Woodring and their children, Chad (Cheryle) Kimpton and Jim (Kim) Woodring, one great-grandchild and two great-great grandchildren; Susan (J) Daly and their children, Bobby (Jasmine) Daly, Dani (Tony) Lindeman, and Brad (Maggie) Daly, and six great-grandchildren; Robin (Keith) Kirscher and their children Amy Kirscher, Shannon (Jamie) Meier, and Joseph Kirscher, seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren; Janet (John) Riddle and their children John Jason Riddle, Jesse (Korey) Riddle, and Julie (Drew) Blotkamp, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; Jerri (Erik) Thueson and their children Chris (Anne) Thueson and Lindsay (Rhett) Tschache, and two great-grandchildren. Arnold is also survived by his brothers, Marvin, Bob, and Johnny and a very large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew James Woodring, his brothers Clint and Pat, and his sister-in-law, Vonnie.

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