Jon Thomas Van Sabben, 71

Published 5:13 pm Friday, February 2, 2018

Jon Thomas Van Sabben, 71, of Northwood, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary’s Campus-Rochester.

Jon was born on Sept. 17, 1946, the son of Peter and Amy (Hove) Van Sabben in Mason City, Iowa. He married Ellen Jacobson on June 7, 1966, at Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett, Iowa.

Jon graduated Lake Mills High School in the class of 1965. He was a hired hand for several years. He was in the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam. He then started farming. While farming, he also worked for several companies: David Manufacturing, Bakken Trucking in Northwood, Goplerud Oil in Mason City, Crouse Cartage Company in Mason City and H&W Trucking in Mason City.

In 2001, he had a stroke that forced him into semi-retirement. Then he was able to spend more time with his grandchildren.

Jon cherished his family, grandkids, their families and the time he was able to spend with them all.

Jon was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Teamster Union. His hobby was collecting antique tractors. In his younger years, he enjoyed motorcycling, tractor shows and traveling.

Jon is survived by his wife, Ellen; four children, Michael (Theresa) Van Sabben of Northwood, Sharon (Rich) Bergstrom of Austin, Minnesota, Harold (Tracy) Van Sabben of Carpenter, Iowa, and Mary Van Sabben of Austin; grandkids, Taylor, Glenn, Matthew (Jeni), Chelsea (Thomas), Karter, Ashlynn, Jayme, Emmalee, Sebastian and Jackson; great-grandkids, Kennedi (daughter of Matthew), Maverick and Kenley (son and daughter of Chelsea); brothers-in-law, Rodney Jacobson, LaMoyne Jacobson, Fred Brunsvold, Steve (JoAnne) Brunsvold and Leland Gibbs; sisters-in-law, Arlene Van Sabben and Laurel Erickson; many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Phillip Van Sabben; and sisters, Ruth Ann Van Sabben, Rosemary Brodersen, Bonnie Smith and Adrianne Gibbs.

Funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Elk Creek Lutheran Church in Kensett with Rev. Tom Martin officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home in Northwood. Burial will be at Elk Creek Cemetery.