Swartzentruber, Arthur Daniel

Arthur Daniel Swarzentruber, 96, of Marion, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital following a short illness. A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call after 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 at the chapel.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dannie; his son Richard “Dick;” daughter, Karol Weakland of Cedar Rapids; a stepson, Dr. Ray Danenhauer and his wife, Lavonne of Cedar Rapids; and a stepdaughter, Darlene Lewis of Sumner.

Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Leora Kunning.

Arthur was born Oct. 13, 1913, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Dan and Fay Swarzentruber. He attended Washington High School where he distinguished himself as a student and athlete. He had an outstanding football career where he earned all state honors in both his junior and senior years. In 1931, the Des Moines Register awarded him excelled among Iowa Prep stars as a defensive line man. He also earned the Eagle Scout award, which he felt gave him success in business as well as community and family. As a senior at Washington High School, he was elected president of his class and captain of his football team.

In 1931, Art started his college years and a life long association with Coe College. While at Coe he played on two Midwest football championship teams. His college non-conference opponents while at Coe, included the University of Wisconsin, Illinois and West Point Military Academy, where he was named to Army's all opponent football team in 1933. In 1934, The Gazette recognized him as one of the best college linemen in the state. After leaving Coe, he assisted the great Moray Eby in conducting national football seminars for high school coaches. In 1981, he was elected to the Coe College Athletics Hall of Fame. In 1985, he was a one man committee that raised funds to pay for the Coe Swimming complex. He also assisted many Coe athletes financially with their education. Art continued his relationship with Coe serving as a Life Trustee of the College Board. His friends knew him as the No. 1 Coe sports fan ever since he played football for Moray Eby and was proud that he never missed a game until his health restricted his attendance a few years ago.

During World War II he served on special assignment for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton.

When Art finished his pre-med studies at Coe, he went to work for a small feed business, Vigortone, where he was CEO for 45 years. During his time at Vigortone he saw his company grow from a small pre-mix company to one of the largest animal supplement companies in America. He retired as chairman of the board in 1982. Throughout his successful career he gave generously of himself to community college, athletics and fraternal organizations. His membership included Grand Lodge of Iowa, Crescent Lodge, Rotary Club, Elk Lodge and the American Legion. Art was one of the founders of Elmcrest Golf and Country Club, a 10 year board member of Peoples Bank and Trust, and for 10 years (1954 to 1964) was president of Cedar Rapids Baseball and was awarded membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also a member of First Baptist Church, located on Northland Avenue since 1925.

Art was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed his rural home and became active in many wildlife and conservation projects. He belonged to and supported organizations including Indian Creek Nature Center, Ducks Unlimited, Cedar Valley Animal Shelter, Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Foundation, NRA and the Audubon Society.

Art was very proud of his Aunt Ella Stewart, who was one of the founders of the PEO organization.

He loved his family dearly, but the true love of his life was his wife, Dannie. They often talked about “Never having an argument or harsh word between each other.” It was a beautiful relationship, which was said by his family to have been “made in heaven”.

Art was a busy man who loved his 96 years enjoying the quality of life to the fullest and he did not miss much. His family and friends agree and will celebrate his distinguished life.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Indian Creek Nature Center in Art's honor.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs at Village Ridge, 4th Floor at St. Luke's Hospital and St. Luke's Hospice.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Arthur's family on the Web page under Obituaries.