Luzum, Arnold Albert 1918 - 2014

LUZUM, SCHISSEL, SCHMITT, KORTE, SHANK, BURNETT, STORTZ, GIDLEY, CIORBA, FRITZKE, NAUMAN, ERDMAN, WISBY, STUDER, VAN DEN BERG, HAMER, NARDELLI, HACKMAN, MCCUSKER, STEINLAGE, COLLINS, HUMPAL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/9/2014 at 11:32:01

Arnold A. Luzum, age 95, of St. Lucas, Iowa passed away on May 3, 2014, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA with Father Nick March presiding, and Father Marvin Salz concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors.

Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, there is a rosary and scripture service at 3:30 p.m. There will also be visitation on Thursday morning from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. at the church. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements.

Arnold Albert Luzum, the son of William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum, was born December 20, 1918 on his parents’ family farm west of Calmar, IA. Arnold was baptized, received First Holy Communion and confirmed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA. He attended St. Aloysius Elementary Catholic School. Arnold enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 5, 1941 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. He received basic training at Camp Claiborn, Louisiana and served in the North African Theatre of Combat Operations. During his service in World War II, he participated in the battles for Rome, Tarquinia, Cecina, at Arno River, and on the Gothic Line. Arnold took over command of the 2nd Platoon of Co. “F” after its platoon leader was seriously wounded in combat, and successfully halted that German attack. For this deed, Arnold was promoted on the field from a Staff Sgt. to 2nd Lt. He was wounded on the Gothic Line on Hill 769 but was able to return to service after 30 days in the hospital. Arnold received several decorations while in the service to include E.A.M.E.WD, American Defense Service, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Rome Campaign, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, and the Silver Star. Arnold was honorably discharged on October 24, 1945 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas ranked 2nd LT, INF. AUS.

On May 6, 1947 Arnold married Irma Mary Schmitt, daughter of Anton and Josephine Schmitt of St. Lucas, IA. That day was the beginning of a journey together that flourished for 66 years. Together, Arnold and Irma worked the Schmitt farm north of St. Lucas for almost 40 years before retiring in 1985. His love of farming and commitment to being a good steward of the earth was superseded only by his devotion to his wife, his children and to life itself. Upon retiring, Arnold and Irma moved to St. Lucas and began the next and final fulfilling chapter of his life. During the quiet years of retirement, Arnold enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, playing cards (especially euchre), working on jigsaw puzzles, traveling and taking long drives through the countryside. Arnold also served as a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Catholic Knights, St. Aloysius American Legion Post #691, and a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Arnold found spiritual fulfillment as a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church.

Arnold is survived by his loving wife, Irma, of St. Lucas, IA, fourteen children: Diane (Jon) Korte of Albert Lea, MN, Alleyn (Darla) Luzum of Bella Vista, AR, Norma Shank of Mesa, AZ, Marvin Luzum of Santa Barbara, CA, Marian (Charles) Burnett of Dakota Dunes, SD, Barbara Ann (Theodore) Stortz of Edina, MN, Sharon Kay (Dennis) Gidley of Algonquin, IL, LaVonne (Charles) Ciorba of Portland, OR, Arnold Luzum Jr. of St. Lucas, IA, Kevin (Linda) Luzum of Fort Atkinson, IA, Rosemary (Chris) Fritzke of Scottsdale, AZ, Jolene (Ret. MSgt. J. Mitchell) Nauman of Norman, OK, Karla (Lindsay) Erdman of Decorah, IA, and Renee (Joseph) Wisby of Nashville, TN; twenty-one grandchildren: Bryan Korte, Jeff Luzum, Jenny (Luzum) Studer, Elizabeth (Shank) van den Berg, Theresa (Burnett) Hamer, Brad Burnett, Alison and Kathryn Stortz, Alex Ciorba, Tessa (Luzum) Nardelli, Tanna Luzum, Cynthia, Jacob, and Emily Luzum, Austin, Jack (Teo), and Aidan Fritzke, Jayme and Jerrod Nauman, Marley and Erika Wisby; step grandchildren: Christopher and Dr.Matthew Ciorba; twelve great-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren. Arnold is also survived by his brothers and sisters: Florence Hackman of Decorah, IA, Vic Luzum of Decorah, IA, Francis Luzum of Cedar Rapids, IA, Joan (George) McCusker of Overland Park, KS, Monica (Tony) Steinlage of Decorah, IA, Bill (Jan) Luzum of Benson, MN, James (Arlene) Luzum of Rosemont, MN; two sisters-in-law: JoAnn Luzum, Calmar, IA and Dorothy Luzum, Denver, CO.

Arnold was preceded in death by three of his children: Anthony, Joseph, and Mary Ann; parents, William and Leona (Schissel) Luzum; father and mother-in-law, Anton and Josephine Schmitt; son-in-law, E. Dexter Shank, loving husband to Norma; three brothers: Clarence, Paul, and Leo (Darlene) Luzum; ; two sisters: Loretta Collins and Rita Humpal; two sisters-in-law: Esther Luzum and Kara Luzum; three brothers-in-law: Herman Steinlage, Rudy Humpal and Othmar Hackman.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Luke's Catholic Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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