Service Information
Arlen M. Solie, age 88, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025, with family by his side.
Memorial Service will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 11:00 A.M., at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, with interment in Oakland Cemetery, Hutchinson.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Obituary
Arlen Margido Solie was born on July 15, 1936, in Spring Grove, Minnesota. He was the son of Margido and Lillian (Melbostad) Solie. Arlen was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove. He received his education in Spring Grove and was a graduate of the Spring Grove High School class of 1954. Arlen furthered his education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Arlen received his Master’s Degree at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
On August 17, 1963, Arlen was united in marriage to Carole Kidder, at First Congregational Church in little Falls, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two children, Thomas and Ann. Arlen and Carole made their home in Hutchinson, Minnesota, where they shared 61 years of marriage.
Arlen was a high school counselor in the Hutchinson School District for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1993. His years spent counseling, teaching, coaching and volunteering with the Hutchinson High School numbered near 40. Arlen was a devout and avid member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He sang in the church choir for 35 years, attended Bible Study and served the church on the Endowment Committee and as an Offering Counter.
Arlen was inducted into the Luther College Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 1985, he was chosen as the Minnesota High School Counselor of the Year.
Faith, family, sports and community were important to Arlen. He enjoyed music, reading, and volunteering at various church and community events.
Arlen passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025, with family by his side.
Blessed be his memory.
Arlen is survived by his:
Wife, Carole Solie of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Thomas Solie of Kaneohe, HI,
Ann Solie of Missoula, MT;
Grandchildren, Timothy Solie, Ari Iverson;
Brother, Merle Solie of Brooklyn Park, MN;
Sister-in-law, Joan Rehkamp of Cloquet, MN;
Nephews, Karl Solie and Erik Solie;
Niece, Catherine Loeb;
Many other relatives and friends.
Arlen is preceded in death by his Parents, Margido and Lillian Solie; Mother-in-law, Catherine (Kidder) Waldman; Sister-in-law, Konnie Solie; Brother-in-law, Roger Rehkamp; Nephew, Michael Rehkamp.
Mark Santelman says
Mr. Solie probably spent less time with each individual student than the classroom teachers did, yet he may have had a greater impact on the students’ futures as a Guidance Counselor (I believe that was his title) than anyone else at Hutch High.
He was an intelligent, thoughtful man whom I always respected.
Blessed be his memory.
Mark Santelman (Class of ’76)
Cheryl Froemming-Reece says
I really don’t think Mr. Solie ever knew exactly how much of an impact he made on teens and planning their futures, but he definitely made an impact on my life. He was a wonderful guidance counselor that had so much wisdom, grace, and patience. His thoughtfulness and genuineness of wanting to see me do the very best things that I could do for my future was clear. I greatly appreciated and respected all of his advice and over the years, still enjoyed seeing him and chatting with him at Faith Lutheran Church. Well done good and faithful servant. To God Be the Glory.
My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Cheryl Froemming-Reece Class of 1990
Sue Griep says
Arlen was a wonderful counselor, he really cared about all students. I was privileged to be his secretary, and I so admired and respected him. He would never take a lunch break, because he wanted to be out in the halls to talk to the students and remind them to come in to get their future planned.
Bridget Hallahan Gran-Ide says
This man changed my life. I don’t think he ever realized the impact he had on the people he met or the students he interacted with. He was just amazing – to everyone. The world has lost a wonderful soul.
Kristin Briggs says
I have so many fond memories of your dad, your husband and grandfather. He was not only easy to talk to, as well as a family friend that went on camping trips with our family as well as several other families for years in the summers,
as the counseling advisor, Mr. Solie challenged me as a student in high school, kept me thinking about what it was I wanted to do with my life and where I wanted to go College after school.
I remember going into his Office once and asking him how I knew what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life when I was barely 18. I don’t even think I was 18 at the time. He told me I didn’t have to get everything figured out overnight, just the college I wanted to apply to. He suggested Concordia College in Moorhead , Minnesota, along with a couple other people that happened to be walking by the office that day to say Concordia was a great option.
When Mr. Solie had an opinion, he would come out and say what he had to with kindness, respect, and a fatherly presence you knew you could trust. He wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts, and did not tell me to figure this out for myself. He cared about his students. I could tell he loved his job.
I really liked that and admired that about him. . He had charisma, enthusiasm, as well as holding a quiet humble, confidence. He placed students in good programs/Colleges that suited them. He always had a sparkle in his eye when talking about people and their futures as well as a smile when he spoke of all of you, his family.
One time he told me, “ if you want something bad enough, chances are you’ll get it.” (You’ll have to find a balance) you’ll have to work very hard, he continued to say.
Mr. Solie was an amazing friend to my dad, to our whole family.
Mr. Solie was honest, said it like it was and always kept his word. We were all blessed to have known him as well to have him help guide us students to our desired occupations.
Some people leave a mark of love and kindness behind. I will never forget that beautiful soul of Arlen Solie. I’m sure he touched many lives.
I am Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Kathy (Peterson) Stueber(Class of '75) says
He was a great counselor and made such an impact on so many lives, mine included. Always had time for you and never rushed you out of his office. Such a wonderful person.
Fern Hoff says
Carole and Family, please accept my very sincere sympathy and caring for you at this time.
Karen Greve says
Sharing in your sorrow
May you feel the comfort of friends, the Love of family, the presence of God.
He was a great man and will definitely be missed by many.
Karen Greve and Wes Greve
Peter Juul says
I had the privilege of having Mr. Solie as a coach in junior high and also as a Spanish teacher for 3 years. He distinguished himself as a role model for us by conducting himself in a dignified thoughtful manner who rarely raised his voice. As a high school senior, I was indecisive about my future plans. I met with Mr. Solie, he listened carefully and then said “ well Peter if it does not work out, what have you lost?” In one sentence I had the answer. As a student of Mr. Solie, he taught us not only subject matter but how to be better people.
Keith Pearce says
Mr. Solie was a great man and counselor, was fair to everyone, and impacted so many youths lives including mine. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Peanut
Cindy Alexejun says
It was my honor and privilege to have Arlen as a colleague at HHS. He was the listener, the arbitrator, the mentor, the solver, the optimist and always, always the supporter of all students and staff. His compassion and spirit touched all those in his presence.
Blessings to all who loved him.
Gabriel B. Baumgardner says
It is pleasant to recall someone as nice as Arlen Solie. He was part of my Mother’s family. Our family visited our cousins in Spring Grove, Minnesota every July when our Dad went on Caterpillar vacation. Arlen treated me with kindness.
Michael Skaar says
Condolences & big hugs from all the Skaars. Mr. Solie was a respected mentor & guide for all of the Skaar kids in so many ways.
I can echo so many of the comments written on this page. I can recall him standing in the hallway outside his office door, greeting & connecting to so many, but waiting for that one to schedule time to discuss more. I see him in the press box at so many football games, in the stands cheering at swim meets & as the quintessential referee or ticket taker for so many events. The respect for him was as big as the impact he made! His gentle approach was a voice of its own and his ability to calm the uncertainty of future was great.
Seeing him sing in the choir at Faith and knowing his Luther College baseball success both spoke to me personally. His Luther Athletic HOF’93 induction was an amazing honor & so well deserved.
Rest well Mr. Solie. Soli Deo Gloria!
Lottie Kottke says
Thoughts and prayers to Carole and family. Arlen was at the high school when I started work there and I could tell he was well respected and well like by students and staff. It wss a pleasure to work with him. My sincere sympathy.
Phyllis Bailey says
I had the privilege of working with Arlen when I first came to Hutchinson as a new counselor. We shared a hallway/office when space was short in a very crowded HHS. I considered him a mentor, and friend. My sympathies to Carol, Tom, and Ann. He was so proud of his family!
Rachel Stearns says
Arlen was my mentor and my friend.
Condolences to his family whom he loved dearly.
Bridget McGraw Peller says
No matter when or where I would see Mr. Solie, he always greeted me by name. Thirty years at HHS…he made each one of us know how much we mattered.
Peace…
Randy Starke says
Mr. Solie was “one of the good ones” that anyone could talk to. I think I had more conversations with him after graduating than when I was in school, he always had time to talk. He was a great coach, but a better man. Integrity, faithful, and genuine, that’s what I’ll remember. Glad he was part of my life. Peace to your family…
Roger Baumgardner says
I didn’t know my cousin Arlen as a counselor/coach, but as a great athlete in his prime. I went to Wartburg College, a great rival of Luther, and played baseball long after Arlen had played there. He will always be the athlete I remember. I’m proud to see that his life was so filled.
B. T. Nguyen says
To the family of Our Beloved Mr. Solie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May you find comfort in the memories you shared and…
In knowing that Mr. Solie is well respected and loved by so many.
I grasped hold of my high school diploma, then of my university diploma and stared at them.
Again and again, I read Mr. Solie’s obituary which was shared by my brother that evening.
Mr. Solie passed away on the 50th anniversary of our (3 Vietnamese families of 26 members) arrival in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
I was privileged to have Mr. Solie as Guidance Counselor for my only 1 and only senior year
(1975-1976) at Hutchinson Highschool. His insight and genuine interest in my education was clear. He spent hours taking me to different schools to take the required entrance exams and to college visits. He shared his thoughts with kindness, respect and let me focus on my self-discovery process. In the fall of 1976, I started college life to pursue further education.
Our parents and we are forever grateful for his foresight and counsel. Mr. Solie’s name came up often in our family’s talks. We wondered how Mr. Solie and his family had been. In 2018, we were able to reconnect with Mr. and Mrs. Solie! A memorable and treasured visit was arranged by Pastor Mark Richardson at Christ the King Lutheran Church. We were reflecting on the past and cherishing the present. Joyful moments were in the air!
Mr. Solie truly lived a good life, remembered and treasured by many. What a distinguished man and educator who cared deeply about his students!
We will always remember Mr. Solie for his kindness, wisdom, guidance, generosity, and unwavering support.
Mr. Solie will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on.
Leroy and Darlene Karg says
Carole and family
As a part of Faith family we send our sincere sympathy. We have lost a good and faithful servant. Grateful for being able to serve with him
Our prayers are with you