Arthur L. Faaren, 87, of Eau Claire, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Oakwood Villa Nursing Home in Altoona. He was born and raised in Flaxton, North Dakota to Arne and Ida (Grove) Faaren on December 1, 1926. Art attended schools in North Dakota but was interrupted at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the Navy near the end of World War II, ending in Okinawa. After graduating from North Dakota State School of Science, he was employed with IBM for 38 years, beginning in Minneapolis and soon transferring to Eau Claire. After church shopping, Art decided on First Lutheran Church and met Joyce Hanson in the choir. Five years later they were married and began their journey of 60 years together. Facing retirement in 1980, he bought farm land and turned it into "Art's Tree Farm". This was a one man operation that gave him many years of toil and joy meeting people coming to secure beautiful Christmas trees. This continued until the trees outgrew both him and his customer's ceilings. In his working years, Art was on 24 hour call for computer care and often spent months away in school to keep abreast. But all along, he attended to his children's activities at school and church. He helped his son Arne on his goal to reach the Eagle Scout Award and of course, hunting with him when Arne became of age. Art also spent hours golfing with his daughter Amy, and countless weekends with his family in tow, pulling the travel trailer to campgrounds and small surrounding communities. Art and Joyce always attended church in whatever nearby area they'd find themselves on Sunday mornings. He volunteered his time for 25 years at the Community Table, participated for 60 years in both the Eau Claire Male Chorus and First Lutheran Church Choir, served on the Church Council, taught Sunday school and also spent 4 years learning the Bethel Bible Series and then later taught it to fellow church members. After his children received their college degrees and were launched in their jobs, Art and Joyce got their passports and took countless trips; twice to Norway, twice to Europe, followed by New Zealand, Australia, all of Great Britain, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, numerous cruises and for 30 years, they took a January break from the Winter and travelled to Arizona. Art had many hunting trips with Arne, friends and family in Wisconsin and North Dakota. He will be remembered for his gentle manner and being most generous with his time and money. Art is survived by his wife, Joyce; daughter, Amy; son, Arne (Denise); his much loved grandchildren, Anders and Kjrsten; sisters-in-law, Grace Faaren of Olympia, WA, LaRue Hanson of Eau Claire and Fay Hanson of Whidby Island, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Ida (Grove) Faaren; brother, Gerald; brothers-in-law, Richard and Donald Hanson; and parents-in-law, John and Edna (Sperstad) Hanson. It is requested that any memorial be given to a worthwhile charity of one's own choice. In accordance with Art's wishes, no public service will be held. By pre-arrangement, after cremation his ashes will be interred in the columbarium at Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire, WI. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is assisting his family with arrangements.

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