Benjamin E. Highstrom Jr.

Benjamin E. Highstrom Jr., of Sabula, IA, passed away Wednesday, December 7. Memorial service will be held Sunday, December 18, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Sabula.

Ben was born June 14, 1965, son of Ben Emil and Mary (Dryden) Highstrom. Ben grew up in Sabula and attended East Central High School, graduating with the class of 1983. As a child, Ben was all boy. He was too smart and clever for his own good sometimes, and attracted the same type of friends. He always had a tender heart, and loved spending time on Grandpa George’s farm where he played with the animals and his pony. Ben also enjoyed time spent with Grandpa Ray forging for mushrooms and wild asparagus. While in high school Ben joined the National Guard, eventually going to Fort Gordon in Georgia for AIT. After returning to the area Ben studied aviation at University of Dubuque. Aviation would become a life long interest, culminating in Ben buying his own ultra light airplane.

Ben was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would hunt for just about anything, but especially loved duck hunting. Hunting and fishing were hobbies he loved to share with his sons, as well as camping on the islands up and down the Mississippi. Ben taught his family to love the outdoors. He was a member of the NRA and Ducks Unlimited.

Ben had a quick wit, and a great sense of humor. He was easy going to a fault. Ben’s family was the center of his life. He was his mother’s rock, and was always there to help. Ben was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula.

Ben will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary Kemp Highstrom of Arizona; three sons, Jacob Highstrom of Clinton, IA, Aston Kemp of Phoenix, Az, and Nathan Baker (Azhley) of Cedar Rapids, IA; one grandson Quinten Baker of Cedar Rapids, IA; his mother, Mary Dryden Highstrom of Savanna, IL; two aunts, Linda (Steve) Cunningham of Pleasant Hill, IA, and Penny Dryden of Camanche, IA; one uncle, Dennis (Brenda) Highstrom of Miles, IA; and many cousins. Ben is preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Emil Highstrom, aunt and uncle Carol and Delbert Highstrom, and uncle George Dryden.