Obituary of John Mouw

Memorial Tribute John G. Mouw, the son of Gerrit and Cora (VerHoeven) Mouw, was born at Orange City, IA, on October 5, 1925. He spent his youth in the Orange City area and attended country school there. Following his school years, John continued to work on his family's farm until enlisting in the U.S. Army. On February 14, 1944, John entered the United States Army at Ft. Cook in Nebraska and served until April 23, 1946. John was a World War II Veteran and served in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded two bronze stars for outstanding service to his country. On August 29, 1947, John was united in marriage to Harriet Scholten at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Orange City for a year and a half and then moved to a farm near Ocheyedan, IA. In 1953, they moved to a farm west of Melvin, IA, where they raised their four children: Denny, Darwin, DeeAnn and Debra. John entered the Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn, IA, on March 27, 2013, and passed away there on September 2, 2013, at the age of 87. He was a member of the First Reformed Church where he previously served on the consistory. He had also served on the Melvin School Board and the Sanborn Coop Elevator Board. He was a proud member of the Melvin American Legion Post #470 for 66 years. John rode his exercise bike daily to stay fit for the past 25 years. John was an avid basketball, softball and football fan. He followed Melvin High School, the University of Iowa, and the Denver Broncos sports teams. He enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and socializing with friends, especially having coffee with the guys. He cherished the times he could spend with his family and was very proud of each one of them. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Harriet, of Melvin; their children: Denny and Peggy Mouw of Denver, CO; Darwin Mouw of Northglenn, CO; DeeAnn and Roger Kruse of Melvin, IA; and Debra Cianciulli of West Palm Beach, FL; grandchildren: Jason Mouw, Sara and Eric Waterman, Melissa Kruse, Ashley Mouw, Kelsey Cianciulli, and Angela Kruse; great-grandchildren: Emily and Brady Waterman; his brother and wife, Lowell and Marcia Mouw of Spencer, IA; his brother-in-law, Don Nieuwendorp of Sioux City, IA; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Darlene Nieuwendorp of Sioux City, IA. Celebration of Life John G. Mouw Born ~ October 5, 1925 Died ~ September 2, 2013 Age ~ 87 years 10 months 27 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2013 First Reformed Church Melvin, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. David Vander Laan Rev. Al Honken Eulogy ~ Willy Morfitt Organist ~ Connie TeKrony Duet ~ Harriet & Jeane Van Veldhuizen Special Music "Each Step I Take" Congregational Singing Processional ~ "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" "Because He Lives" Recessional ~ "How Great Thou Art" Pallbearers Jason Mouw Jeff Mouw Mark Nieuwendorp Mike Wynja Mark Wynja Ron Scholten Military Graveside Rites Guthrie Post #470 Melvin, Iowa Ushers Danny Beek Craig Sorensen Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa <iframe id="tukios_player_512x330" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="330" scrolling="no" src="https://www.tributeslides.com/videos/embedded_video/8H8T5X9MZP3BGLX7" width="512"></iframe>