Obituary of Muriel Diann Arms

Muriel Diann (née Kvale, Simpson) Arms, 81, of Burnsville, MN, entered God’s kingdom on August 3, 2023. She was born October 17, 1941, in Chatfield, MN to Harold and Evelyn Kvale and was raised in Glenwood, MN. She graduated from Glenwood High School in 1959.

She is survived by her daughters, Juliellen Simpson-Vos (Mark) and Kristen Malzahn (Scott), Durham, NC; granddaughters Sydney Grace and Ella; sisters Rosalie Tarum and JoRae Sarsten, brother, Jarle Kvale, and sisters-in-law, Rose Kvale, and Tomoko Keel, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins in the U.S and Norway. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Harlowe Kvale, and her husband, Lewis Arms.

After graduating from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in 1963, Muriel began her longstanding career in Christian ministry as a Parish Worker at Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, WI. There she met her first husband, Gary Simpson. She also briefly attended the State College of Iowa where she served as ministry assistant and Lutheran student counselor while taking graduate level coursework in guidance and counseling.

Muriel served in a variety of roles in the Lutheran church, including Director of Parish Education and Youth Ministry at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Middleton, WI, and Stewardship Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. In June 2009, Muriel was ordained as an Associate in Ministry, a position she cherished and put to fervent use at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, WI. There she was known for her infectious enthusiasm, spiritual leadership, and ability to share the word of God with passion and gentleness.

A yellow legal pad was never far from Muriel’s sight, enumerating her daily to-dos, which often included golfing. After she moved to Inver Grove Heights, MN, you might find her volunteering at the Norway House with her dear niece, Cheryl, or planning and attending family reunions. March found her glued to the NCAA basketball tournament, her brackets fully completed, cheering on the UNC Tar Heels and Wisconsin Badgers. Muriel especially loved fishing and riding motorcycles with Lew, and she played rounds of cards and dominoes with friends and family members well into the early morning hours. Muriel treasured her family and the many that she “adopted” into her family. She embraced her Norwegian heritage and spent hours researching and sharing her family’s ancestry. During the Christmas season, many were fortunate to receive her handmade gifts of lefse and rosettes.

Road trips and laughter with sister Rosie were legendary, and her many trips to Norway gave her joy beyond measure. She adored her granddaughters and made many trips to North Carolina to attend special family gatherings.

A memorial service will take place at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, WI on Saturday, September 23rd at 2pm. Visitation will begin at 1pm with a reception following at 3pm. Donations in Muriel’s memory can be made to the Optage Hospice Care or the ELCA.