Obituary of Arnold Chester

Arnold Chester

April, 21 1934 – May 30, 2024

Arnold was born in Paddockwood, SK to Frank W. Chester and Selvina Chester on April 21, 1934.  He will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Merle (nee MacKenzie) Chester; his son, Kelly Chester; his daughter, Genevieve (Mike) St. Denis; his 8 grandchildren; as well as numerous foster children.  Arnold was predeceased by his daughters, Jean Roberts and Susan Chester; his parents, Frank and Selvina (nee Anderson) Chester; his siblings, Williard (Daisy) Chester, Walter (Doris) Chester and Harold (Louise) Chester; his half-siblings, Fred (Florence) Sorenson, Mable (Colin) Bird, Gilmen (Eva) Sorenson, Sibert Sorenson, Gladys Sjoberg and Melvin Sorenson.

Arnold grew up on the family homestead and by age 5 he was driving horses and working on the farm alongside his Dad and brothers. Arnold attended the Elk Wood School, where he would ride his horse Beauty to school and back home and provide rides. When he wasn’t attending school he was working on the farm haying. Arnold would drive a team of horses and help with breaking up the ground to build roads in Paddockwood, haul hay, logs and provide rides on the wagon to and from school. Arnold recalled having to get to school early to be able to get wood for the teacher to add to the stove in the school.

Arnold moved to Prince Albert in the 50’s and here he met Merle through his brother Willard’s wife, Daisy.  On September 1, 1956, Arnold and Merle were married and on September 2, 1962 they had their son Kelly.  In 1968, Arnold moved his family to Nordale where they settled and began building his home and family.

Arnold was part owner at West End Auto Wreckers with his dad, Frank Chester in Prince Albert from 1950-1976. To say Arnold was a hard-working man is an understatement.  A man to never sit idle.  After working at the West End Auto Wreckers Arnold worked a few short term jobs.

In 1971 Arnold and Merle opened up their home and began fostering children.  After that they never looked back. They fostered children for the next 50 + years.

Arnold was an active member in the Prince Albert Community. He belonged to a number of organizations that promoted community events and brought people from all over Canada and the United States. Some of these organizations included the Prince Albert Central Mushers Club - which he started, P.A. Exhibition Association, Nordale Community Club, Foster Parents Association, TEAMSTER Heavy Horses, Miniature Horses, and Ma-Mow-We-Tak Sled Dog Racing Association. 

After retiring from the Foster Parents Association Arnold continued his seasonal activities. In the summer Arnold would be loading up his horses to take to the exhibition for the summer fair.  In the fall Arnold would be out haying with his brother, Walter Chester. When this was done Arnold would begin training his sled dogs for the Prince Albert Winter Festival and many other dog racing events. When spring came around he would be getting his garden ready for the summer and then do it all over again.

Arnold had a generous heart and served his family and community with great pride. He will be truly missed.

A Celebration of Arnold’s Life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the Prince Albert Heritage Centre, 1211 1 Ave W, Prince Albert.  In lieu of other tributes, donation in memory of Arnold may be made to the Rose Garden Hospice, 500 38th Street West, Prince Albert, SK, S6W 0A3.  Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Tracy-Lynn Lenchuk, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.