Wells Steven Arneson

Wells Arneson, 3, son of Sam & Chesney Arneson of Mandan, ND, passed away October 30, 2024 from injuries sustained in an accident.

Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:00 PM Monday, Nov. 4th at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan. A prayer service will be held 7:00 PM Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Josh Waltz as celebrant. Burial will follow in Mandan Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for food and fellowship at the Baymont in Mandan from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm.

From the moment he arrived on August 12, 2021, Wells Steven Arneson was a complete heavenly miracle. His entrance into our world was one that showed his true super powers. Wells was pure joy. 

Words fall short of describing our so loved Wells. At 3 years old, he was wise beyond his years and bigger than life. “Wellsy” affectionately coined by his Mommy was extremely smart, able to entertain himself for hours playing dinos and “GUYS” his super heroes. With his advanced vocabulary, confident little jaunt, and adorable smirk, he navigated this world like no other. 

He was such a proud little brother to Jennings and Lenni, always snuggling between the two at the end of the day. His sweet and silly face would absolutely light up the face of his dear baby sister, Liv and cause her to giggle. Wells was a constant sidekick to his Mommy and Daddy playing endless ballgames, watching action movies and having insightful conversations. With Mommy he loved shopping trips to Costco, Target and TJMAX. We will forever treasure his sweet voice saying the most amazing things: “Mom play A Bar Song Tipsey”, “Let’s play guys” and “I love you too much”!

Wells looked forward to his frequent trips to Minot to visit his Reing Family and endless playdates with his Mandan cousins. He was absolutely living his best life.

Beyond his immediate family, he was adored by his many Cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and Grandparents, and Great Grampa and Gramma Pickles, and large group of extended family and friends. He could “keep up with the big boys” (as the youngest of the boy cousins) and still carry around a baby doll playing house with the girl cousins. He simply captured all of our hearts forever, AMEN.

In his 3 short years, he had better style than most, always rocking his “Jordan’s” from head to toe, boycotting pajamas to even sleep in his famous Jordan shorts. A favorite memory etched into our hearts is Wells decked in his best Jordan gear with his dino backpack loaded with his favorite toy “Guys” on his back headed down the church isle to see Jesus and receive Father Josh’s blessing. 

Our dreams were of seeing Wells as a future Brave, with his Jordans running up and down the basketball court, catching the football for the home winning touchdown, a college degree along with all the hopes and dreams we pray and wish for our beautiful children, gifted from God. Forever, he will be an endless love and light in our lives and hearts…

Our world has been completely shattered by the devastating loss of our sweet, sweet Wells. We believe and tightly hold onto God’s Promise and look forward to being together with our special angel Wells forever….

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Gifted by God, now we envision Wells, forever in Heaven with Jesus, and embraced by his grandpa, Rob Arneson and great grandpa, Rich Arneson and great grandparents, Oliver and Marlene Reing, and Kenneth and Lorrayne Kersten. Until we tightly hug our Wells in Heaven, forever he will be loved and treasured by his parents, Sam and Chesney Arneson, brother, Jennings and sisters, Lenni and Liv, his grandparents, Steve and Kim Reing, and John and Deb Thilmony, his great grandparents, Leonard and Lenora Haider and Carrol Hunder. The extended family that will forever love Wells includes his uncle, aunts, and cousins Dane Reing (Caleb, Payten, Kolton, Karston), Steph and Scot Swain (Devin, Paige), James and Kati Arneson (Hudson, Charlee, Finlee, Lucy), Deondra and Corey Bruner (Bodee, Zander, Halle), Jordan and Jenny Thilmony (Kambri, Ayden, Landon), Mady Arneson, and Tyler Thilmony. Wells was also blessed with two bonus aunts Chanda Morrel “Ricky” and Lauren Guggenberger that he loved so much. 

SPECIAL REQUESTS: 

Children are welcomed to honor Wells by wearing any of their favorite Michael Jordan apparel to the Vigil or Funeral service.

Continued prayers for Well’s family to cling to Jesus and each other as God wraps his loving arms around us to comfort our shattered hearts.