Deane Cedric Arny, 95, died Jan. 30. He was the son of Albert and Mary Arny and grew up in St. Anthony Park, where he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 17. He earned his Eagle Scout award there and stayed prepared all his life, carrying a Swiss army knife in his pocket, a Band-Aid in his wallet and a coffee can full of oatmeal cookies in the car at all times.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in plant science in 1939 and the next day took a bus to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a doctorate in agronomy and plant pathology in 1943. He then joined the faculty there.
In 1947, he married Edith Boardman. Shortly before his death they celebrated their 65th anniversary.

He was an avid gardener, raising vegetables, fruit, chickens and bees. Many family meals included produce from the backyard raised by Deane and preserved by Edith.

He is survived by Edith, five children, five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

His brother, the late Fred Arny, was a practicing physician in St. Anthony Park for many years.

Leave a Reply