Arne Nels Offerdahl, passed away and into heaven at his home in The Villages, FL, on September 13th, 2017, after an extended illness. Born in 1950 to Arne and Margaret Offerdahl in Poynette, Wisconsin.
Nels was raised on his family’s dairy farm along with his three sisters. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, refining what would become lifelong interests in the Green Bay Packers and Bucky Badgers.
Nels moved to the Twin Cities, Minnesota, to work as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin where he met his wife, Linda, and their three children. He enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle, skiing, and amateur meteorology. He earned his Masters in Software Engineering and shared his passion for technology through mentoring the local high school robotics team, earning a Parent Volunteer of the Year award.
In July of 2015, Nels and Linda moved to The Villages, FL, making new friends and developing new interests. Nels’ adventures included golf, Caribbean cruises, golf, beach time, golf, and traveling to national parks with his family. Hiking the Grand Canyon and swimming with the dolphins at Grand Cayman were some of his fondest vacation memories. An avid classic rock fan (especially Pink Floyd), he loved the music on the town squares.
He is survived by his wife Linda, their children Joseph, Angela, and Kyle, his three sisters Jane, Judy, and Janelle and their families, many friends, and golfing partners. Nels was the kind of person that everyone liked right away, with his gentle demeanor and warm smile. He will be greatly missed.
A special thank you to all of his friends and family who sent many notes of encouragement during Nels’ illness; they helped brighten his day. Also thank you for the loving care given by the doctors (especially Dr. Nicole Bairossi) and nurses of Villages Regional Hospital.
Friends are invited to attend a gathering Sunday, September 17th, at 2 p.m. at the Hiers-Baxley Buffalo Ridge Funeral Home with memorial to follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation Scholarship Program.
A second memorial service will be held at a later date in Eagan, Minnesota, where his ashes will be interred.
