Dr. Arne Zetlitz, born June 16, 1864, in Stavanger, Norway, was a prominent physician in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After studying pharmacy and attending medical school at Toledo Medical College, where he graduated in 1891, Zetlitz moved to Sioux Falls in 1894. Known for his dedication to medical practice, he played a key role in establishing the Sioux Falls Hospital and its nurse training school. He also pursued livestock breeding on his farm near Sioux Falls. In 1895, Zetlitz married Pauline Dahl, with whom he had two children, Hazel R. and T. Caroline D.
Arne Zetlitz, M.D., was born in Stavanger, Norway, on the 16th of June, 1864, being a son of Henrik O. and Bolette (Jaeger) Zetlitz, representatives of sterling old Norseland stock and known as persons of worth and integrity. He was graduated in the high school of his native city, his father having there been engaged in the banking business, and later he was favored in being able to prosecute his studies for two years in an excellent school in Germany. He then returned to his native land, where he studied pharmacy for two years, this work undoubtedly leading him to eventually adopt the allied profession of medicine. In 1886 the Doctor severed the ties which bound him to home and fatherland and set forth for America, landing in New York City in July of that year and thence making his way westward to Lyon County, Minnesota, where he resided until 1887, when he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he was matriculated in the Toledo Medical College, in which he was graduated in March, 1891, having completed a thorough technical course and coming forth well equipped for the active work of his profession, the degree of Doctor of Medicine having been conferred upon him at the time of his graduation. His standing in the college was such that his services were enlisted as instructor in nervous diseases in the institution until 1894, in January of which year he came to Sioux Falls and established himself in the general practice of his profession. Through his high ability and his singleness of devotion to his profession he soon gained precedence, and he now controls a large and representative practice and is one of the most prominent physicians of the city. He served for three years as County physician but has never desired official preferment aside from his profession. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, is a close student, and keeps fully abreast of the advances made in the various departments of the medical and surgical science. He was one of the principal promoters of the building and equipment of the Sioux Falls Hospital, which has proved of inestimable value, and it is largely through his efforts that the institution has been maintained at so high a standard. He was also the one principally concerned in the organization of the Sioux Falls Training School for Nurses, in whose welfare he has taken a deep and lively interest. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party; fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For a number of years past the Doctor has been extensively engaged in the raising of live stock, devoting special attention to the breeding of high-grade Shorthorn cattle, and he is the owner of a fine stock farm of three hundred and twenty acres, eligibly located seven miles east of Sioux Falls.
On the 20th of January, 1895, Dr. Zetlitz was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Dahl, of Lyon County, Minnesota. She was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of N. T. and Tori Dahl, who are now residents of Minneota, Minnesota. Dr. and Mrs. Zetlitz have two children, Hazel R. and T. Caroline D.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.