Decorah - Arlin Pahl

November 24, 1949 — January 8, 2026

Arlin Pahl, age 76, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at his home surrounded by family.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev Randy Kittelson presiding. Burial will take place at a later date at Locust Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation before the service on Thursday. Please come in and be seated.

The family would like to send a special thank you to WinnMed Hospice, especially Dawn French, for all the amazing care she gave to Arlin, and all the staff at WinnMed and Gundersen Health System.

Arlin Ronald Pahl was born on November 24th, 1949, to Arnold (Ray) and Thelma (Johnson) Pahl in Decorah. He was baptized and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran church. Where he developed the values of faith, love, and family. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1968.

He grew up on a farm near Locust, where he worked helping his parents, grandfather, and uncle.

He also helped on his uncle Carston & Lorraine's farm & neighbor Duane Jacobson's farm. After high School, Arlin started a job working for Frank Vick as a painter. Drove stock car races in Decorah, 7-up distributors, and at Ron Rude Station.

Arlin started working at Deco Products in 1972 until his retirement in 2015. He always kept himself busy working at home, helping friends & family. He found joy in woodworking; he enjoyed building & refinishing furniture. His greatest Love was his wife, Margaret, children, grandchildren & family.

Arlin enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest, either with a smile, joke, or smart Aleck remark. He enjoyed seeing the response from his friends & family; if he joked around with you, that meant he loved & liked you a lot. He always wanted his life surrounded by happiness, love & faith.

Arlin is survived by his wife; Margaret (married May 17th-1986). Children; Brian Pahl, Stacy (Rob) Engelhardt, Teressa (Brandon) Kadlec, Grandchildren; Lexie (Cody) Bakken, Hannah Pahl, Jordan Pahl, Emma Kadlec, His siblings; Trudy Gaffey, Sharon (Larry) Walter, Pam Pahl (Arlyn Moe), Mike (Connie) Pahl, Deb Pahl, Dan (Becky) Pahl. In laws: Patty Frana, Barb (Allen) Shatek, Jane Lechtenberg, Norbert Lechtenberg Jr., Mary Hoyme (Shannon Benson), among many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, cousins, friends,

Arlin is preceded in death by his parents; Ray & Thelma Pahl, Brothers; Ken Allen, Fred Pahl, nephew; Steve Gaffey, and Granddaughter; Marissa Engelhardt. In Laws, Norbert & Flavia Lechtenberg, Brothers-in-law; Mike Lechtenberg and Gary Lechtenberg.