Featured in: May/June 2020

Ringering 100th

Arnold Giles Ringering celebrated his 100th birthday during December with family, then later with friends and neighbors as well as a celebration with his church family on another date.

Arnold was born in Egen, South Dakota, on Dec. 6, 1919, to Ira and Bessie Ringering. The family moved back to Minnesota (where the Ringering roots were) shortly after his birth. Arnold grew up in the Brainard area. He attended a small church school, then later attended Oak Park Academy in Iowa.

Arnold and Peggy Van Vlack were married in December 1942. Three daughters were born to them: Norvene Carey of Yakima, Washington; Phyllis Mow of Yakima; Jane Briggs of Walla Walla, Washington. Arnold was inducted into the Navy in February 1943. He spent his military career in the medical department of Shoemaker Hospital in the San Francisco area.

After the service, he attended Clock and Water Repair School in Kansas City, Missouri. Later he worked at different types of employment and became very knowledgeable in several areas of construction, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and carpet laying.

Arnold married Marge Young in March 1970 and acquired four additional children with this marriage: Twyla McIntyre of Boring, Oregon; Paula Benson of Albany, Oregon; Richard Ringering of Troutdale, Oregon; and Gene Ringering of Aurora, Oregon.

Arnold's last years of employment were with Christian Record Braille Foundation. He supplied the visually handicapped with Christian material and found this very rewarding. Blind camp was always the highlight of the year.

He’s enjoying his later years in a senior park where he still raises a garden in his backyard. There’s plenty of space for walking so he stays active and busy.