Frederick 'Fred' John Iben

FREDERICK "FRED" JOHN IBEN

Monticello

Frederick "Fred" John Iben of Monticello passed away surrounded by family on Dec. 14, 2021, at the Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa, Ariz.

Fred was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Langworthy, Iowa. He was the son of Frederick and Adele (Irps) Iben. He

attended Frog Hollow school in

Langworthy. On July 9, 1959, Fred married Frances Irene Gearhart and they had two daughters, Lisa and Laurie.

Fred started his career in the excavating business when he worked on the Illinois Toll Road. Later he started Fred Iben Excavating & Grading, which allowed him to work all over the great state of Iowa. In the mid 1980s Fred and Fran purchased a large plot of land to the west of Monticello and built the very successful Walnut Acres Campground. Through the years Fred also served as a volunteer Firefighter for the Monticello Fire Department and was a member of the Monticello Park Board.

Fred was very proud of his Iowa roots. His daughters were always amazed how, no matter where they traveled, someone always knew their father. He always wore an Iowa Hawkeyes baseball cap. He said it was a great conversation starter. If people didn't know him personally, they knew of someone he had worked for or someone who had stayed at their campground.

Fred is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances; his daughters, Lisa Kagasoff and Laurie Iben; his son-in-law, Paul Aslaber; and grandchildren Nicole (Kagasoff) Neet, Sarah Kagasoff and Maximilian Aslaber.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, Fred requested donations be made to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Monticello or the Monticello Fire Department. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Fred and his family into their care. By visiting goettschonline.com you may share your thoughts, memories and condolences with Fred's family and sign the online guest book.