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Permanent LinkSenator James F. Schaben View All Years
JAMES SCHABEN
James Schaben was born on May 10, 1926, in Earling, Iowa, to Jacob and Blanche Schaben. He passed away on August 3, 2013, at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife Ruth; his children, Jay, Jeri, Jim, Jack, Joe, Jean, and Jon; 16 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and his sister, Jeane Evanoff.
Schaben graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1943 and went on to attend Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He joined the United States Marines during World War II. Following his honorable discharge from military service, he graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana.
He married Ruth Schiltz on June 15, 1948, and they were blessed with eight children. In 1950 they purchased the Dunlap Livestock Auction. He was passionate about conservation and his farms have earned numerous conservation awards. In the 1970s he and his wife donated 80 acres of land that to Harrison County, now known as Schaben Park.
He was a member of the Iowa Auction Market Association, the National Auction Market Association, and the advisory board of the Circle Key Life Insurance Company in Sioux City, Iowa. He also served as the President of the Iowa Auction Market and Director of the National Livestock Auction Association. He belonged to the Catholic Church, Lions, Elks, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion.
Schaben was a Harrison County Democrat. In addition to his years in the Senate, he ran for Governor in 1974. He was unsuccessful in his bid and retired from politics, but remained dedicated to the issues that face Iowans. Schaben served in the Iowa Senate from 1967-1975, during the 62nd, 63rd, 64th, and 65th General Assemblies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE EIGHTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF IOWA: That in the passing of the Honorable James Schaben, the State has lost an honored citizen and faithful and useful public servant, and that the Senate by this resolution expresses its appreciation of his service to the State and tenders its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.
CHAZ ALLEN
TOM SHIPLEY
STEVEN J. SODDERS
Committee