Jesus F. Arlaban aged 71 of Sac City passed away on May 6, 2025 after fighting pancreatic cancer for 24 months. Jesus Fermin was born July 7, 1953 in Pamplona, Spain to Dr. Benito Jesus Arlaban and Josefina Martinez Corral. As a child, Jesus believed that the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona (i.e. Running of the Bulls which starts on July 7) was celebrated for his birthday. His baptism and first communion were held at San Francisco Javier Church in Pamplona.
Growing up, Jesus liked playing soccer, reading mysteries, and traveling with his family. He attended the Catholic schools of Santo Angel and Colegio Santa María la Real in Pamplona. He attended the University of Pamplona for a year before transferring to and graduating from the University of Zaragoza with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the Spanish Army in Madrid from April 1980 until he was discharged in June 1981. Later, Jesus coached boys’ and girls’ team handball at the high school level and tutored college and university students in science, math, and economics.
Jesus met Tammy, his future wife, in the summer of 1987 when they both happened to be studying in Madrid. They were married June 24, 1989, at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Jesus was destined to be a “girl dad.” Kimberley, their biological daughter, was born while they lived in Pamplona. After moving to Sac City in 1993, Jesus and Tammy hosted seven exchange daughters: Doyoun (South Korea), Eva (Germany), Karoline (Norway), Charlotte (Germany), Eline (Norway), Wilma (Sweden), and Camillia (Italy). Silje (Norway) and Martina (Italy) would have stayed with the Arlaban-Vines, if not for COVID. Returning in 2023, Cami is attending ISU.
Jesus joined the staff at Marjo floral and Greenhouse in 2001. Although working as a plant guru and flower whisperer was nothing like his studies in mechanical engineering, Jesus enjoyed using his mathematical skills at the greenhouse, filling delivery trailers with as many plants as possible. He continued working his magic with plants as ownership passed from Brian and Amy Dreith to David and Michaela Engel and then Chuck and Abby Glass. He also practiced this skill every year packing suitcases to travel to Spain or helping the exchange daughters get their possessions back home.
In June 2023, Jesus was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. After months of chemo, radiation, and more chemo, Jesus and Tammy went to Spain for a month to visit his three siblings and many Arlaban and Martinez cousins. Throughout Jesus kept working at Phocas Gardens; helping decide plants for the next season, correcting the spacing of the growing trays, and giving advice about plant management.
Jesus was an avid fan of fútbol (known in the U.S. as soccer) especially Osasuna, his hometown team, and Real Madrid. He spent many weekends watching European soccer matches and balonmano (team handball, a sport like water polo but played on a court) via the Internet. Other favorites were three-week bicycle races like the Tour de France, the Giro de Italia, and the Vuelta in Spain. He liked to travel and read.
Jesus is survived by his wife, Tammy Vine, biological daughter, Kimberley Arlaban (Chris Ritenour) and their seven exchange daughters. In the States, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Shirley Vine, and brother-in-law, Craig Vine. In Spain, he leaves behind three siblings: Luis Mari (Esther Carpintero), Jose Javier (Vanessa Martinez), and Maria del Carmen; nieces Maite (Juan Pascual Gutierrez-Solana) and Leire (Pablo Monti); one grandniece, Lara; and many
cousins in and around Pamplona. His parents, Benito Arlaban and Josefina Corral, and his father-in-law, Jon Vine, preceded him in death.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, please consider a monetary gift as the family plans to donate to the memorial garden at the Sac City Museum, the cancer center at St. Anthony's, and other organizations in Jesus' memory.
