Arnold L. Maravetz

arnold maravetz
Arnold L. Maravetz, age 91, of Elma, IA, died on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, IA. Arnold Lewis was born on December 13, 1920 to Lewis and Louise (Shimek) Maravetz on a farm near Lourdes, IA. He attended and graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy at Elma in 1940. Arnold owned and operated Arnold’s Tavern, now known as the Blue Bird, from 1945-1947. In 1947, Arnold opened his first auto body shop. After a fire in 1949, he rebuilt the shop in its current location, operating it for 60+ years. In his later years he participated in the restoration of antique tractors and retiring at the age of 90. In 1950, Arnold met Bernadette Malek; the couple was united in marriage on August 12, 1950 in Cresco, IA. They made their home in Elma where they raised their two children and operated the auto shop together. Arnold enjoyed fishing, gardening, fishing, making toys and more fishing. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Elma, served on the Parish Council; a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus; a member of the Elma Fire Department, where he served as Chief at one time as well as serving on the Elma Town Council. Arnold is survived by his children, Mark (Theresa) Maravetz of Albuquerque, NM and Marlys (Jens) Wiegand of West Linn, OR; two grandsons, Scott and Jeff; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray (Ann) Maravetz of Riceville, IA; one sister, Marjorie (Leo) Weber of Charles City, IA and one brother-in-law, Dick Nicholson of Osage, IA He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernadette and two sisters, Evelyn and Clementine. Cemetery: Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Elma. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm, Monday, September 24, 2012 with a rosary at 4:30pm and a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00pm at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, IA. Visitation will continue at the funeral home one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be on at 10:30, Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Church in Elma with Father Steve Garner celebrating the mass.

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  1. Mark and Marlys
    I have many fond memories of your parents when I was growing up in Elma. Mary Ann and I use to babysit for you when your mom was helping your dad in the shop. My brother Tom thought so much of your dad. I’m sure he was there to welcome him home to heaven.
    Betty Chambers Palmer

  2. Arnold was a great guy.. He was a few years older than me but he always was like a big brother to me. He would eat many of his meals with us in Jim’s Cafe,when the Darrah family operated the cafe. My sincere sympathyt to the family.

    Jim Darrah

  3. arnold was always upbeat and happy to see us kis- Hey Boys! He taught me everything i know about fishing – and gardening – and cars – (which isn’t that much, but no fault of Arnold’s).

    Garrison Keillor says “Nothing you do for a child is ever wasted”- by that measure- Arnold made very goodbuse of his time. Thank you Arnold! You will be missed.

  4. Marlys and Mark you have my deepest sympathy. I remember staying at your house way way back in high school. It seems like yesterday! I thought I would write you a message just in case I do not make it to the wake. But I am seriously going to try to make it, so I can see you again after all these years.
    Thinking of you at this difficult time!
    Sharon and Tim Ryan

  5. Marlys and Mark…Our heartfelt sympathy for the passing of your Dad. I have to smile when I think of the baby turtle my children brought home from the Mississippi River fishing trip they shared with your Dad… and how he was amused by aquarium they bought for it.

  6. My deepest sympathy to Mark and Marlys and their families. I have good memories of Arnold as a neighbor of ours whom would give us rides to school when the weather was 40 below:) It is not easy to lose them at any age. Thinking of you..

  7. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mark and Marlys at this time of grief. But you can take comfort in the fact that there was no kinder man around. Arnold taught me how to fish and how to work on cars. He would always take time for the pesky little kid nest door and answer all my questions. I have fond memories of Arnold that I will treasure all my life.

  8. So Sorry to hear of Arnie’s passing. He worked on my Mom’s car, always getting her back on the road. Mom is currently @ the Manor, she chatted w/ Arnold about car repairs. God Bless All. Deb Morrison/Lammer House & Dorothy Vorwald

  9. We learned of Arnolds death fro my brother Marvin Maravetz. We visited with Arnold when we shared a table at the Maravetz/Zbornik in New Hampton Iowa in 2010.
    Our condolences to the family.
    Eunice 9Maravetz] Combs & Duane Combs of Houston Texas


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