Arnold J. Van Etten (1930-2017)

VAN ETTEN, DOBSON, MCKONE, HAMMEL, PATTON, DAVIS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/6/2022 at 19:09:17

Obituary for Arnold J Van Etten

Arnold J Van Etten
Arnold J. Van Etten, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017, at Mercy Hospital at the age of 87.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017, at St. Luke’s Methodist Church. A private burial will be at a later date. Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the church.
Arnie was born on July 30, 1930, at home in Havana, Illinois. The youngest child of Lora B. (Dobson) and D. Melvin Van Etten. He was an outstanding athlete, fondly known as “Red” at Havana High School. He earned a football scholarship to Bradley University and graduated in 1952. After college Arnie returned to his roots as a high school math teacher and coached football and basketball. It was there he met his “love”, Catherine Anne McKone, who was teaching Home Economics. In 1956 he married Anne and after teaching High School together for a year, he was accepted into the University of Iowa College of Law. They then found their forever home in Dubuque, Iowa.
Arnie started practicing law with Kintzinger Law Firm and remained a dedicated partner until retiring a few years ago, after more than 50 years of supporting, counseling and guiding countless clients, who often became lifelong friends.
His passion for helping people and nurturing meaningful relationships was apparent by his longstanding participation and commitment in various service and social organizations, including The Elks, The Optimists and The Dubuque Shooting Society. He was proud and honored to be a active leader through the years of various community counsels and boards. He valued compassion, generosity, seeing the best in people, and forever offering a helping hand.
On Arnie’s best days he would find delight in pheasant hunting with his favorite cronies, playing a competitive game of Euchre, dancing with Annie or spotting the first morel mushroom of the season. Lately, he took great comfort in visiting with dear friends, sitting on his backyard deck and mowing his beautiful lawn.
Arnie will be remembered for his generosity of time, love and laughter, in addition to his quick wit, patience, faith, willingness to serve and of course, his spirited wardrobe.
Arnie will forever touch the lives and continue to be celebrated by his friends and family, which includes “the girls”, Julia A.Van Etten, of Hudson ,WI, and Jennifer K.(Dennis) Hammel, of Fairfield, IA; grandchildren, Vanessa (Chris) Patton, Reason and Madison Davis, Griffin, Riley and Olivia Hammel; great-grandchild, Ellis Patton; and his brother, Marvin D. Van Etten.
With open arms, Arnie will join his “love” Anne and son Greg, along with son-in-law Denny Davis and Arnie's sister Joyce Wright and sister-in-laws, Alice Van Etten, and Grace Bowers, in Heaven.
We wish to deeply thank the friends and neighbors who provided a continuous stream of love, care and compassion without batting an eye. You lifted our hearts and we knew he was in good hands when we were miles away. Your generosity give us the most precious gift… time with our dad.
In lieu of flowers, an Arnold J. Van Etten memorial fund has been established to be distributed to his favorite charities.
If you can attend the service….”Spirited Joyful Attire” is welcomed.
Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road, is assisting the family.