Arnold Blessington, age 96 of Lake View, IA, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. Arnold Joe Blessington was born on August 27, 1926, to parents James and Bertha (Voss) Blessington in Herring, IA. He grew up on various farms in Sac County, IA, and attended country school through the 8th grade. Arnie started working for a local farmer at a young age in order to help support his family.
Arnie joined the United States Army on June 11, 1952. On October 12, 1952, Arnie married the love of his life, Ethel Mae Kluver, in San Luis Obispo, CA, before he served in the Korean War. He was discharged on March 12, 1954, and then returned home to farm, which is what he would do for the remainder of his life.
Arnie and Ethel were blessed with three daughters: Nancy, Marlene, and Becky. They raised their family on a farm in Sac County. Ethel worked right alongside him as they were pretty much partners in all they did. They were a true testament as to what marriage is as their love for one another only grew stronger over the years. Arnie retired from farming in 2010 but that didn’t keep him away from it as he enjoyed helping his son-in-law, Dan, farm around the area for many years after.
Arnie loved working on tractors and cars and was very mechanically inclined. He was a Case tractor fan and liked Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles, having owned several over the years. Racing was something he enjoyed throughout his life. When he was younger he enjoyed racing Chevy cars on the oval dirt track north of Sac City with his brothers. Later on, he and Ethel took their girls to watch the races in Alta every week. Arnie was attending races well into his eighties.
Arnie and Ethel always looked forward to dancing at the Lakewood Ballroom as well as other area dance halls. The two of them also enjoyed bowling. They always made sure to attend their grandchildren’s events and activities and were so proud of each and every one of them. Arnie loved having visitors and always welcomed them with cookies and a fresh pot of coffee. He loved his family and spending time with them ranked above all else.
As mentioned above, Ethel was indeed the love of his life. Arnie was completely committed to her and made sure she was able to stay home many years into her dementia diagnosis. He took such great care of her and would have had it no other way. He was a humble, thankful, selfless man who would do anything for anyone. He will be dearly missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him. Rest assured he has been welcomed into God’s beautiful paradise where he is hand in hand with his bride, dancing away with a big smile on his face.
Those left to cherish Arnie’s memory include his daughters, Nancy (Lyn) Bruns of Lytton, IA, Marlene (Dan) Ackerman of Sac City, IA, and Becky Pontious (Dave Irwin) of Sac City, IA; grandchildren: Melissa (Chaz) Barnett, Katelyn Bruns, Morgan Ackerman, Quentin Ackerman (fiancé Emma Larson), Ricky Myers (Ashley Kelly), and Cody Pontious (Hannah Sorensen); great-grandchild Avanzo Myers; sister Dorothy O’Tool of Odebolt, IA; sisters-in-law Phyllis Kluver of Kiron, IA, and Carol Ann Sieck of Mesa, AZ; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Blessington; parents James and Bertha Blessington; brothers: Melvin (Beth), Marvin (Delores), Jim (Isabel), Lloyd (Blenna), and Lee (Marie) Blessington; sister Margaret (Russell) Teague; and brother in-law Bud O ’Tool.
