Arnie B. Hicks

Arnie B. Hicks, age 89, of Linn Grove, Iowa died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Hawkeye Care Center in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove. Burial will follow at the Barnes Township Cemetery in Linn Grove with military rites by the Sioux Rapids American Legion. Visitation will take place Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Arnie Blair Hicks was born November 26, 1927 in Lohrville, Iowa, the son of Earl Frost and Anna (Everhart) Hicks. Arnie attended school through the fourth grade in Lohrville before moving to Minnesota. The family then moved back to Lake City where he graduated high school in 1946. On February 28, 1947, Arnie joined the United States Air Force. He was a B-29 Mechanic stationed in England during the Berlin Airlift. He proudly served his country until his honorable discharge on February 27, 1950. Following the service, Arnie was baptized at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake. After marrying, he joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Linn Grove and served many years on the church council. His faith grew steadily through the years. Arnie loved going to dances where he met the love of his life, Donna Joy Sundberg at Cobblestone in Storm Lake. On June 3, 1956 they were married at Trinity Lutheran Church. Together, they were blessed with four children: Julie Ann, Lorie Jean, Randall Blair, and Marcy Joy. Farming and soil conservation were a big part of Arnie’s life. He worked for the Buena Vista and Clay County Soil Conservation Offices for 31 years. He retired from the S.C.S. in 1983. He remained a loyal conservationist and served on the Buena Vista Conservation Board for 25 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and fishing, often with Donna’s sister and her husband, Doris and Dick Inman. The couple often traveled to visit relatives and their son, Randy. Arnie loved to tell stories, attend coffee group, and play cards. Arnie could always be found at his children and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. Most of all, Arnie will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 60 years, Donna Hicks of Linn Grove, Iowa; children: Julie (Norman) Vorland of Clear Lake, Iowa; Lorie (Tim) Wittmaack of Linn Grove, Iowa; Dr. Randy (Marsha) Hicks of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; grandchildren: Jacob (fiancé, Kate Delaney) Vorland; Alyson Vorland; Nathan (Jennifer) Wittmaack; Cody (Amanda) Wittmaack; Nick Wittmaack; Rachel, Adam, and Austin Hicks; great grandchildren: Maxwell, Madison, and Miles Wittmaack; Saylor Wittmaack; brother-in-law, John Darrell (Margaret) Sundberg of Eagle Grove, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Donita Hicks of Sac City, Iowa; Darlene Hicks of Deadwood, South Dakota; brother-in-law, Ernie Hoover of Hawthorne, California; extended family and friends. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Marcy Joy; and siblings: Paul, Gertrude, Louise, Robert, James, Eleanor, Dorothy, Alan, and twin brother, Everett.

Arnie B. Hicks

November 26, 1927 - January 17, 2017