Arnold Ennenga

Arnold Dean Ennenga, 87, of Conrad, Iowa, passed away October 8, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa due to complications from a stroke. A funeral service will be held on Saturday October 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Colfax Center Presbyterian Church with Pastor Wolfe officiating. A visitation will be held Friday, October 14, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Abels Funeral & Cremation Service – Engelkes Chapel in Grundy Center, Iowa. Burial will follow the funeral service at Conrad Cemetery. Arnold’s family will be donating to Operation Christmas Child in lieu of a casket spray. In lieu of flowers, Arnold’s family requests you please give donations to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Arnold was born May 6, 1935, in Grundy County, Iowa, the son of Eilt and Kate (Eckhoff) Ennenga. He received his education through the Grundy County rural school system. Arnold followed in the footsteps of his five brothers, serving a tour of duty in the United States Army. Arnold was employed for 40 years until his retirement by Ritchie Industries of Conrad, Iowa, where he met his wife, Joe Ann. He was a lifetime member of Colfax Center Presbyterian Church, serving several years as a Deacon. Everyone knows Arnold was a good husband—describing Arnold as a good husband does not do justice to his relationship with Joe Ann—he was her rock, her support, her partner, and her confidant. For nearly 40 years, Arnold and Joe Ann enjoyed volunteering with the elderly, providing Bible studies in local care centers. Arnold’s life was a model of God’s love. Being a good neighbor, friend, dad, and grandpa came easy for him. He loved children and they loved him.

Arnold is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joe Ann; three stepchildren, Michael (Phyllis) Bolton of Sherwood, Wisconsin, Polly Brickhouse of Eldora, Iowa, and Barbara Bolton of Decorah, Iowa; sister Mildred (Reginald) Thornton of Oelwein, Iowa. Arnold was blessed with 6 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eilt and Kate, brothers, Willard, Clarence, Dale, Leroy, and Donald; sisters Izetta Kuehl and Esther Heeren; sisters-in-law, Hannah Ennenga, Irene Ennenga, Elaine Ennenga, Grace Ennenga, and Marie Ennenga; brothers-in-law, Hans Kuehl, and Jake Heeren; nephews, Ronald Ennenga, James Kuehl, and Gary Ennenga; niece Brenda Cohen; and grandson Ryan Bolton.