Irv Mouw

Irvin Mouw, 95, of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, July 6, 2013, at Sioux Center Community Hospital. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8PM with the family present from 5-6PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Friday at 10:00AM at Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00AM at Central Reformed Church with Rev. Van Rathbun officiating. In lieu of flowers the Mouw family prefer memorials be directed to Central Reformed Church of Sioux Center or the Sioux Center Veteran's Memorial Fund. Irvin Mouw went home to be with his Lord Saturday, July 6, 2013, at the age of 95. He was born December 24, 1917, at the Mouw Homestead farm, located a mile and a half west of Old Town Sioux Center. Irvin was the son of Henry B. Mouw and Hannah (Van Putten) Mouw. Irvin had one brother, Wilbur, and four sisters, Marie, Berniece (Poodle), Adella, and Frieda. Irvin lived his entire life in Sioux Center, graduating from high school in 1936. In his younger years, Irvin worked in Rock Rapids as well as at Mouw Motor of Sioux Center in the bookkeeping and parts departments. From 1941-1953 he worked as a postal clerk in the Sioux Center Post Office. He served in the military from March 22, 1944 to March 22, 1946, serving with the 88th Infantry Division in Italy and in Salzburg, Austria. In January, 1954, he joined New York Life Insurance Company as a sales representative, retiring from that position in May of 1996. On June 26, 1940, Irvin married Patricia Van De Brake. Irv and Pat have two sons, Phillip and Daniel. On November 27, 1964, Phillip married Marilyn Reynolds of Bejou, Minnesota. They reside in Sioux Center. Their 3 children are: Steven of Sioux Center, Michon (Ryan) Lubbers of Grandville, MI, and Scott (Tonya) of Adrian, MI. On August 30, 1968, Daniel married Bonnie Mueller of Racine, Wisconsin. They currently live in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. They have 4 children: Timothy (Aimee) of Amarillo, TX, Amy (Jason) Esposito of Germantown, WI, Jonathan (Jackie) of Racine, WI, and Christa (Derek) Matsche of Montgomery, IL. Irvin was an active member of Central Reformed Church, serving on the church council for many years. He loved to sing, and was a member of the church choir and the Legion Quartet. In his 80s he sang in the church praise team with many younger individuals. He was a soloist at many weddings, funerals and church services, last singing solos, only a few years ago, in his early 90s. He also served as secretary for the Sioux Center Public School Board for many years. He enjoyed following high school sports and playing golf. He was very proud of his family and his extended family. In 2008, Irvin moved to Crown Pointe independent living and was able to spend many hours with his wife, Pat, at Royale Meadows every day. His devotion to his wife was an outstanding example to each member of his family. Irvin is survived by his wife of 73 years, Pat; sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip and Marilyn Mouw, Daniel and Bonnie Mouw; his 7 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren: Mitchell, Marcus and Gina Lubbers; Rhea and Claire Mouw; Tristan and Andrew Mouw; Logan, Tyler, Ethan and Spencer Esposito; Naomi, Mykaylah and Elijah Mouw; and Jaiden and Keagan Matsche; two sisters, Adella Ash and Frieda Jalving both of Redlands, CA, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Wilbur and Mae Mouw; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie and Harold Beernink and Berniece and Bud Norris; two brothers-in-law, Ishburn Ash and Don Jalving; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Boeyink.