Arnold A. Von Essen
August 10, 1918 — September 5, 2003
Arnold A.Von Essen, 85, of Marion, formerly of Oxford Junction, died Friday, September 5, 2003, in his home following a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2003, at Ascension Lutheran Church, Marion, by the Rev. Linda Livingston. Friends may call from 3 - 7 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 7) at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, with Masonic services at 7 p.m. by Zealous Masonic Lodge No. 435 of Oxford Junction. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-four years, Jeanette; four daughters, Joan (Jack) Dutton of Marion, Ida Mae (Darrell) Ketelsen of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Bob) Cronbaugh of Marengo and Teri (Tom) St. John of Marion; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Lucille Von Essen of Mesa, Arizona, and Annebelle Von Essen of DeWitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Fred, Carl and Claus; two sisters, Claudina Licht and Marie Bartosh; three infant siblings; and a great-grandson, Joshua Scanlon.
Arnold was born August 10, 1918, the son of Antone and Christina (Michalsen) Von Essen in Lost Nation, Iowa. He married Jeanette Smith on June 14, 1939, in Davenport at the Free Studio. Arnold farmed most of his life in the Lost Nation and Oxford Junction areas. He also worked for Wheatland Mutual Insurance and drove school bus for Oxford Junction schools. Arnold was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Marion, Jones County ASE board, Farm/Home Administration board, Oxford Junction Housing Development and a 50-year member of Zealous Masonic Lodge No. 435 of Oxford Junction.
Arnold was an avid Cubs fan. He was a stranger to no one and had a smile for all no matter where he went. Arnold?s family meant everything and he will be greatly missed. To the very end of his life, Arnold was a farmer, for him there was nothing else, no other calling had any more value, worth or meaning than farming. He was rooted into the black-loam earth of Iowa that he farmed, as were the crops that he raised year after year.
A memorial fund has been established in memory of Arnold.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-four years, Jeanette; four daughters, Joan (Jack) Dutton of Marion, Ida Mae (Darrell) Ketelsen of Cedar Rapids, Sandra (Bob) Cronbaugh of Marengo and Teri (Tom) St. John of Marion; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Lucille Von Essen of Mesa, Arizona, and Annebelle Von Essen of DeWitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Fred, Carl and Claus; two sisters, Claudina Licht and Marie Bartosh; three infant siblings; and a great-grandson, Joshua Scanlon.
Arnold was born August 10, 1918, the son of Antone and Christina (Michalsen) Von Essen in Lost Nation, Iowa. He married Jeanette Smith on June 14, 1939, in Davenport at the Free Studio. Arnold farmed most of his life in the Lost Nation and Oxford Junction areas. He also worked for Wheatland Mutual Insurance and drove school bus for Oxford Junction schools. Arnold was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Marion, Jones County ASE board, Farm/Home Administration board, Oxford Junction Housing Development and a 50-year member of Zealous Masonic Lodge No. 435 of Oxford Junction.
Arnold was an avid Cubs fan. He was a stranger to no one and had a smile for all no matter where he went. Arnold?s family meant everything and he will be greatly missed. To the very end of his life, Arnold was a farmer, for him there was nothing else, no other calling had any more value, worth or meaning than farming. He was rooted into the black-loam earth of Iowa that he farmed, as were the crops that he raised year after year.
A memorial fund has been established in memory of Arnold.
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