Arlon Sandbulte

Arlon J. Sandbulte (84) of Marco Island, FL, and Sioux Center, IA, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday December twenty-second at Sanford Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD with his family surrounding him. Arlon suffered severe injuries following a vehicle accident in early November and was diagnosed with Covid in late November. Ultimately this combination was too much for his body to overcome.

There will be no funeral.  A public celebration of Arlon’s life is being planned for a later date; details will follow.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to HOME Ministry, PO BOX 16, Sioux Center, IA 51250. 

Arlon was born at his family farm East of Sioux Center, IA on September 14, 1938, to Joe and Johanna (TerHorst) Sandbulte. Arlon’s mother Johanna passed away when he was six.  His father Joe later married Alice (Vande Berg) Sandbulte. He attended high school at Sioux Center Community School graduating in 1956. Arlon married Mary (VanWechel) Sandbulte when he was twenty and they had four wonderful boys, Joe, Jeff, Tim and Tom. In March of 1998 Arlon married Joyce (Sperl - Frye) Sandbulte and was a proud stepfather to her children Jay and Julie.

Arlon began working with his father’s excavating business, Sandbulte Excavating in 1948 at the age of sixteen. At nineteen he began working at his father’s Sioux Center Ready Mix, which became Joe’s Ready Mix two years later.  Following the passing of his father Joe in 1962, Arlon assumed management and part ownership of the business. In 1975 Arlon became the sole owner and president of Joe’s Ready Mix. One of Arlon’s biggest joys was having his four sons work alongside him in their family business. Together the family grew the business to six plants and over 100 employees in the Northwest Iowa Region. In 2005 Joe's Ready Mix was able to double in capacity by merging with another local ready-mix company and creating Alliance Concrete. In 2008 Alliance Concrete was sold to GCC who still owns and operates the business today.

When not in Sioux Center Arlon cherished time with his wife Joyce at Okoboji, IA and Marco Island, FL. An avid conversationalist, Arlon enjoyed sharing a beverage with customers, employees, and fellow businessmen, as well as friends of the couple. From time with the “Friday Night Bunch” to various steak frys or Wednesday night Mexican at the Ridge, Arlon could always be counted on for a smile and good conversation.

In addition to the ready-mix business, Arlon also owned Crossroads Supper Club in Maurice, IA, and The Holland House Restaurant, which later became Sandora’s Steak House in Sioux Center.

Arlon is survived by his wife of nearly twenty – five years, Joyce Sandbulte. He leaves behind his four sons and their families; Joel Sandbulte of Sioux Center, IA, Jeff (Irene) Sandbulte, Sun City Center, FL, Tim Sandbulte, Sioux Center, IA and Tom (Jen) Sandbulte of Sioux Center, IA as well as stepson Jay (Danielle) Frye of Zionsville, IN and stepdaughter Julie Frye of Roswell, GA.  Celebrating his memory are his 12 grandchildren - Josh (Ann) Kleinhesselink, Joey (Felicia) Sandbulte, Jennifer Sandbulte, JT Sandbulte, Elicia Sandbulte, Kendra Sandbulte (Kris Baatz), Matt (Kendra) Sandbulte, Carter Sandbulte, Caleb Sandbulte and Emma Sandbulte as well as Addy Frye and Emmy Frye. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren.

In addition, Arlon is survived by his step-brother Rob (Diane) Sandbulte of Sioux Center, IA and half-sister Julie Van Arkle of Gardnerville, NV and sister-in-law Mary Sandbulte (Napa, CA).

He was preceded in death by his mother Johanna Sandbulte (1944), his father Joe Sandbulte (1962) and stepmother Alice Sandbulte (2001). As well as two brothers Gerald Sandbulte (2002) and Mick Sandbulte(1993) and sister Darlene Franken (2001).