Arthur Edward Lian

Arthur Edward Lian was born in Fairdale, North Dakota on June 18^th, 1930. He was the youngest child of Edward and Martha Lian. Arthur graduated from high school in Fairdale in 1948 and received a degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota in 1953. Arthur was a member of the ROTC throughout college. He also enjoyed being a boy scout leader and considered making scouting his life's work, but decided on a career in Social Work.

After graduation, Arthur entered the army as a second lieutenant. He served in Germany and was promoted to first lieutenant. Arthur returned from the army in 1955 and began his career in Social Work in Minnewaukan, ND.

While working in Minnewaukan, Arthur met a legal secretary who would become his wife. And on September 8th, 1956, Arthur married Audrey McKinnon, of Warwick, North Dakota. The ceremony took place in the Minnewaukan Lutheran Church. Arthur and Audrey would later move to Winnipeg for a couple of years, where he went back to school and received his Masters degree in Social Work at the University of Manitoba.

Arthur and Audrey had 4 children while working and going to school: Anita Lian (Canyon Country, CA), Jay Lian (Grover Beach, CA), Bradley Lian (Macon, GA), and Brian Lian (Rancho Santa Fe, CA).

Arthur and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1966, and began working with Lutheran Family Services. After a number of years with Lutheran Family Services, Arthur accepted a position working for the Veteran's Administration.

In 1980, Arthur moved his family to Canyon Country, California, where he continued working for the Veteran's Administration for the remainder of his career.

Arthur retired from Social Work and the VA in 1997, after 35 years. He stayed busy by establishing a pool cleaning service and spent the first several years of his retirement working full time and basking in the California sun with that business. He enjoyed staying busy. Several years later, he sold the business and actually retired again, somewhat, to become a full time grandfather.

Arthur loved North Dakota, a trait he passed on to his children and grandchildren, and returned to North Dakota regularly. In short, you can take the man out of Fairdale/ND but you can never take Fairdale/ND out of the man. Arthur treasured life-long friendships with friends from Fairdale. He instilled in his family a love for North Dakota and with it, a love for family and rural living. He enjoyed the Class B Basketball Tournament in March and attended it every year until 2016. Arthur also loved Medora and brought his family to the city’s musical many times over the years. He loved the Pitchfork BBQ and driving through the park looking for buffalo.

Arthur is survived by his wife of 62 years, Audrey, daughter, Anita and grandchildren, Katie and Jack Larlee, Jay Lian and grandchildren Jayson  and wife, Melissa (and great-grandchildren Bailey and Felicity), Ashlee and Justin, Bradley Lian, and Brian Lian, wife Silvina and grandchildren Addison and Bradley.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at Amundson Funeral Home with visitation one hour before the service.

Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks.