ARNTSEN, Fay Celia

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Saturday, February 09, 2013 Fay Celia Arntsen, formerly of Flagstaff, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona. She was 91. Fay was born on June 4, 1921 in Rushford, Minnesota, the daughter of Kathleen and Earle Habberstad. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in child welfare education. In 1943, she married Thomas Swift Arntsen and the raised their family in Minneapolis. After the children were grown, her husband was transferred to Peterborough, New Hampshire, and later to Philadelphia. It was in these places that she took art classes and developed her talent for painting. After their retirement, Fay and Tom built a home in the rolling country hills near Three Rivers, Michigan, where they were part of the contemplative, Jungian community called Apple Farm. Eventually they settled in Flagstaff. For the several years Fay lived at the Peaks before moving to Gilbert in 2011 where she was a resident at Sunrise of Gilbert. Fay was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, most recently, the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff. She was a journal writer most of her adult life and nurtured her spirituality by reading and writing of the works of Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung. Fay gave many gifts to her family and others who knew her: her tenacity and determination, her strong work ethic, appreciation of art, sense of spirituality, cheerful cooperative demeanor and her dimpled smile. Her many watercolor paintings are a tangible legacy that reflect her artistry and love of nature. Fay is survived by her daughter, Nancy Pier and son, Thomas S. Arntsen II (Sharon), grandchildren Catherine Pier Bianchi (Tony), Christina Pier Cronin (Scott), Sarah Arntsen Schatz (Tim) and Daniel Arntsen, as well as five great grandchildren: Lauren, Andrew and Acadia Bianchi and Rachel and Matthew Schatz. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and her brother, Robert W. Habberstad. A celebration of life will be held next summer in Lanesboro, Minnesota at her grandparents’ Victorian home which is now a lovely bed and breakfast called The Habberstad House. Memorial donations may be made to the Lund Family Hospice Home, 1982 East Woodside Court, Gilbert, AZ 85297 or to the hospice of your choosing. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.