Earl T. Altensey

Earl T. Altensey of Sabula, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 7.

Born on August 16, 1972, he was the son of Matthew and Marilyn (Gilbert) Altensey. Earl grew up in Savanna, Illinois, where he attended Savanna Schools. From a young age, he was known as a ball of energy and admittedly a bit of a hell-raiser in his younger days, bringing life and excitement wherever he went.

A diligent and hardworking man, Earl entered the workforce right out of school. He spent 15 years working at Elkay before moving to North Carolina, where he worked in construction operating heavy equipment and helping build a water filtration system. He later returned to the Savanna area and began working at Guardian Glass in DeWitt, Iowa. No matter where his career took him, Earl always found himself behind the wheel of a forklift, a machine he operated with exceptional skill.

In 1997, Earl married Traci Miller, and together they raised two sons before later separating. In 2014, Earl found the love of his life, Dawn Rogers. They shared 12 incredibly happy years together, building a life centered on love and companionship.

Earl was an avid outdoorsman who cherished sharing his passions with his sons. As they grew up, he frequently took them fishing, squirrel hunting, and hunting for morel mushrooms. Earl also loved camping, spending long summer days on the river, and gathering around a good bonfire. A highly skilled pool player, he cherished the many nights spent shooting pool and sharing laughs in his sons' garage.

Above all else, family was the true center of Earl’s life. He held strong family values, loved his parents deeply, and was immensely proud of the men his sons had become. He truly shined in his role as a grandfather. There was nothing Earl loved more than spending summer days with his nine grandchildren, watching them swim and play in his pool. He was simply a great grandpa.

Earl will be deeply and dearly missed by his spouse, Dawn Rogers of Sabula; his two sons, Cody (Katie) Altensey of Fulton, IL, and Connor (Madison) Altensey of Massbach, IL; his father, Matthew Altensey of Savanna; his step-daughter, Stephanie (Garrett) Tuttle of Eldridge, IA; and his beloved grandchildren: Francis, Lily, Lexi, Tyson, Urijah, Colton, Amora, Layne, and Kaden. He is also survived by his sister, Veronica (Robert) Fredericks of Mt. Carroll, IL; two sisters-in-law, Billie Jean Hansen of Sabula, and Denise (Edward) Gluesing of Clinton, IA; and two nieces, Izzy (Matthew) Coffman of Polo, IL, and Zoey Fredericks of Mt. Carroll.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn, and his brother, Michael Paul Altensey, who passed away in infancy.

A Celebration of Earl's life will be held Saturday, March 14, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna.