Arnold A. Jess

Arnold A. Jess, of Sabula, IA, passed away Thursday, April 13, in Clinton, IA. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 19th, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Sabula. Friends and family are invited to gather between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at the cemetery. After the service a memorial luncheon will be held at Manny’s Pizza in Savanna.

Arnold was born June 19, 1931, on the family farm outside of Sabula. He was the third of his six brothers and sisters. Arnold attended Sabula High School, graduating with the class of 1949. Soon after high school Arnold joined the Marines, and served his country in the Korean War. After a tour in Korea, Arnold came home to Sabula and fell in love with his future wife, Diane Rogers. Arnold and Diane married on February 18, 1955. Together they raised six children and celebrated 55 years of marriage.

Throughout his life Arnold worked various jobs around the Sabula area including driving a chicken truck, working the toll booth on the Savanna/Sabula bridge, painting the railroad bridge, and working 18 years at the Savanna Army Depot. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed the outdoors: hunting, fishing, trapping, and frogging, and spending time with his family. When he could combine the two, it made for the perfect day; whether it was trapping muskrat with his daughters, or woodworking with his brothers.

Arnold loved his hometown of Sabula. Everyone on the island knew him, and he knew everyone. He enjoyed morning coffee with his depot buddies, and playing cards uptown. He took great pride in his house on River Street, where he lived for over 50 years.

Arnold will be dearly missed by his children, Randy (Susie) Jess of Punta Gorda, FL, Cathy (Paul) Mangin of Clinton, James Jess of Clinton, and Annette (Ricky) Jess-Mussman of Clinton; one daughter-in-law, Karen (Gary) Jess-Jungen of Sabula; 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Robert Jess and Mary Nelson.

Arnold is preceded in death by his wife, Diane; his parents, John and Gusty; his son, Ben; his daughter Cindy; his granddaughter, Miranda; and his siblings, Harold Jess, Lois Spinoso, and Vernon Jess.