Arnold W. Behn

Arnold W. Behn, age 79, of Sabula, Iowa, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. Cremation Rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Green Island Congregational Church, Green Island, Iowa. A Memorial Gathering will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Preston, Iowa. Burial will be in the Reeseville Cemetery, rural Miles, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established in Arnold’s memory.
Arnold was born on September 9, 1932 the son of Fred and Lovina (Barten) Behn, in Miles, Iowa. He attended Miles High School and graduated with the Class of 1950. Arnold married Doris L. Daniels on February 26, 1954, at the Green Island Congregational Church, Green Island, Iowa.
Arnold and Doris began their life together farming the family home farm near Green Island, Iowa. Wanting to strike out on his own, Arnold tried several endeavors: Clinton Engines, owner of his own pulp wood logging, a milk hauling business and was a mechanic at the Ford Garage in Maquoketa, Iowa before realizing that farming was in his soul. While still working at the Ford Garage, with three children in tow, Richard, Jenell and Rochelle, he began farming part time in Andrew, Iowa. During this time they were blessed with two more children, Terry and Darcie. Several years later his dream of farming full time became a reality when they purchased a farm near their childhood homes. During the next 14 years he milked, expanded to another farm, rented land, custom farmed and worked for DuPont in Clinton, Iowa. Stories were often told of how thankful he was to those who placed enough faith & trust in him to sell him the equipment & land with no money down. Upon retiring to a lakeside home in Sabula, Iowa, Arnold found he could not sit still and became the proud owner of Sterling Feed and Grain. This naturally led to a hauling business at which he owned his own truck and hauled independently for ADM & Crete Carriers. Retiring a second time, he built a new home next to his existing home and drove part-time for Preston Meats. What stands out the most about this man was his sense of fair play, work ethic, perseverance and dedication to his goals and those he loved. He was most proud of his children and especially enjoyed the time spent with his grand & great grandchildren. He looked forward to Sundays, which became known as Family Day. He never forgot where he came from or what it took to leave a legacy for all those he loved.
Arnold will be dearly missed by his two sons, Richard (Deborah) Behn and Terry (Missy Franzen) Behn, both of Sabula, Iowa; three daughters, Jenell (Allan) Trenkamp of Preston, Iowa, Rochelle (Stanley) Pataska of Sabula, Iowa, Darcie Sweeney of Camanche, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Jamie (Natasha) Behn, Nicholas (Kerry) Trenkamp, Jeremy (Sara) Trenkamp, Lindsay (Edmond) Miles, Brandy (Brandon) Vorbeck, Jason (Ashley) Pataska, Merissa, Adrianna, and Payton Sweeney; fifteen great-grandchildren; his special friend, Gloria Kaufman of Maquoketa; two sisters, Joretta Sandholdt of Sabula, Iowa and Doris (Ron) Evans of Pella, Iowa; one sister in-law, Caroline Behn of Preston and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arnold is preceded in death by his wife, Doris, his parents and one brother, Wesley Behn; and a brother in-law, Bert Sandholt.