Artage ‘Art’ Zanotti

Artage “Art” Zanotti, 96, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, loved much and leaves the world better than he found it”.  Robert Louis Stevenson

Art Zanotti was a proud first generation Italian American, his father having emigrated from northern Italy in 1909. And, fittingly in 1942, as an Army sharpshooter, he helped liberate Italy, receiving a Purple Heart medal.

After WWII, Art, on the GI bill, received his BS degree in engineering from ISU. An avid Cyclone fan, his passion for sports extended to cheering on his sons Mark and Vince when they wrestled, and playing golf with daughter, Gina, and his many friends. He could be found in the CC high school stands cheering on the girls softball team.

Baseball was a big part of Art’s life. Attending Rippey high school, he was the pitcher for his team and after moving to Charles City, for his first job as a draftsman at Oliver Tractor, he started the CC semi-pro baseball team. He loved the NY Yankees but transferred his allegiance to the Cubs.

He was passionate about hunting. One afternoon he had an extraordinary pheasant hunt, he shot his first triple with his two sons watching and a beloved Vizsla by his side.

And he loved his turkey hunting in New Mexico with his brother, Les.

Fishing was a huge part of Art’s life. Starting in the 1950’s, leaving their wives behind with all the children, he, along with his brother and cousins, headed annually to Lake of the Woods. Later, these trips included his wife, Mary Ann and children: over 50 years of fishing in Canada with many bets and exaggerations of largest fish caught.

Art was married to the love of his life, Mary Ann (Kautman) for 68 years. They traveled the world for many years: the first major trip was in 1966 to Italy to see his relatives. They returned many times to Europe, enjoyed cruises, houseboat trips on the Mississippi River, seeing the US later through elder hostel trips and visiting Gina in Coronado for almost 30 years after retirement In 1992.

Art and Mary Ann loved to dance, playing bridge with friends, an avid book reader and threw many house parties. They could be seen on the river entertaining on their pontoon with friends for cocktail hours. Later, the pontoon moved to Clear Lake when they bought a condo and the parties continued.

Art loved his 42 years at White Farm. He excelled at creating a team environment, with his last 15 years as Foundry Manager. For several years he ran the entire plant operations. He was proud of the jobs he created and the role the company played in his adopted hometown. He was so committed and worked so hard to try to find a buyer for the company to keep it going.

Art was very involved in his community. He was president of the CC Chamber of Commerce, president of the CC School Board and was proud to have been able to give his three children their high school diplomas, state chairman of Metal Casters of Iowa, a member of the Elks, and a Redcoat Chamber Ambassador. He loved co-chairing for many years the Annual Hospice Golf Tournament, and he created The Tired Foundrymen’s Golf Tournament that was renowned in the industry.

Art loved to laugh and tell jokes. Name a subject, he knew a joke. Sometimes he would start laughing so hard, crying, before he told the punchline.

Art loved his family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother and friend.

Art is survived by wife, Mary Ann, daughter Gina (John) Daley of San Diego, CA; sons Mark (Sherri) of Cedar Falls and Vince (Joanne) of Ankeny; granddaughter Lisa (Tony) Patterson, great-granddaughters Ellie and Aubrey of Cedar Falls; brother Lester (CeAnn) of Omaha, and niece Cara (Henry) Newell of Kansas City.

A private memorial service will be held next spring in Rippey, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a memorium in Art’s memory can be made to the Floyd County Historical Museum or the MercyOne North Iowa Hospice.

The family would especially like to thank the kindness, compassion and care from Dr. Paul Royer, Kim Swanstrom and the Nursing staff at the Floyd County Medical Center.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.