Jeffery Eugene Szabo

Published by admin on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 8:40am

Jeffery Eugene Szabo, 68, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023, at his home in Castalia, Iowa. Jeff was born September 15, 1955, to Eugene and Jean (Gordon) Szabo, in West Union, Iowa, at Palmer Memorial Hospital. Jeff was a 1973 graduate of Postville High School.

Over the course of his life, Jeff, affectionately known by many as Arnold Ziffel or Arnie, had the opportunity to live and work in a number of places. As a young person, Jeff worked on the family farm in rural Castalia, Iowa, at Nash Finch in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as Norplex, Hy-Grade, and Iowa Turkey Products in Postville, Iowa. He also briefly lived in Gunnison, Colorado, helping relatives on their ranch. For over 30 years he worked at Ossian Lumber Company in Ossian, Iowa, where he sold and delivered countless loads of lumber, sheet goods, windows, shingles, and many other home building products to families and farms near and far. In his last few years of work, Jeff served as a custodian at Postville Community Schools right up until retirement.

Jeff enjoyed several hobbies including fishing, hunting, trapping, camping, and listening to classic rock and roll records. Jeff was an active member in Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa, for many years, serving as deacon, as a member of the church council, and at early morning sunrise services and ice cream socials. Jeff also enjoyed spending time with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandpuppy, Charlie, whenever he could.

Jeff is survived by his son, Justin (Maryam) Szabo of Waukee, Iowa, his brother, Greg (Dawn) Szabo of Clermont, Iowa, one niece, Kelli (Mitchell) Holthaus of West Union, Iowa, two step-nieces, Kristi (Casey) Flack of Luana, Iowa, Kari (Brian) Bohr of Postville, Iowa, and one step-nephew, Shannon (Penni) Brockway of Postville, Iowa.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Jean Szabo.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 9-11 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa, followed by a service at 11:00 am at the church.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Postville, Iowa, is helping the family with arrangements.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.