Arnett M. 'Swede' Edwards, 102

“Geeze wiz … what a ride!” A few of the parting words from Arnett “Swede” Edwards, who peacefully passed away on Feb. 5, 2021, at the age of 102. He was born Nov. 10, 1918, and would like to tease and say he was a war baby, as WWI ended the day after he was born!

While many in North Idaho may have known Swede from his business, Edwards’ Safety Engineering, where he sold and serviced fire extinguishers, his early life began on a small homestead in Northern Minnesota. At the age of 5, his family left the homestead and moved to Aberdeen, S.D. As a young teen, it was not uncommon for him to jump a freight train heading north, jump off two hours later, go for a swim in a lake, then jump a freight train back south to Aberdeen.

In 1934 Swede decided that school had nothing more it could teach him, so he jumped into the beginning of his many life experiences. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and went to Custer, S.D. From there his group would go and work in the Mount Rushmore area. He was known to climb to the top and take pictures of the sculptors with his trusty Brownie camera!

In 1935 Swede got a job working on the Fort Peck Dam in North Dakota. He worked there for two years before enlisting in the Army. In 1941 he married his sweetheart from back home, Helen Fratzke. She was an Army wife for a couple of months, until his discharge in November 1941. They moved to Wisconsin, where Swede had a job waiting for him as a boilermaker. After Dec. 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor, Swede re-enlisted in the Army and served as a drill sergeant. Helen became an Army wife again. After WWII, they relocated to North Idaho and made it their forever home.

Swede is preceded in death by Helen, his second wife Bea Finney, and grandson Brad Webster. He is survived by his daughters; Barbara (Bill) Webster and Annette (Don) Barnes; grandchildren, Robert, Bill, Amanda, Becky, Joe and Ben; and eight great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Swede’s kindness and sense of humor will be greatly missed!! Enjoy the ride till we meet again, Dad!

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements. Please visit Swede’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com