John Henry Mouw, 81, of Norwalk, IA, formerly of Morrison, IL, died Monday, October 14, 2024, at Arbor Springs, West Des Moines, IA.
John was born on April 30, 1943, in Orange City, IA, to Henry and Violet (Schuler) Mouw. He attended schools in Orange City and graduated from Maurice-Orange City High School in 1961. He continued his education at Northwestern College in Orange City and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1965. While attending Northwestern he met Karen Bos from Morrison, IL. They were married on February 1, 1964. After graduating John spent a year teaching math in Onawa, IA. They moved to Morrison, and he continued teaching Advanced Mathematics for 39 years. He loved teaching, but was also a mentor to his students as well. John earned is Master’s Degree from the University of South Dakota, upon receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation. He could be found faithfully cheering on the Mustangs, especially when his sons and grandsons were participating. During the summers, John worked at the Whiteside County Highway Department as a Surveyor and meticulously managed several condominiums on High Street in Morrison. Upon retirement from teaching, he was employed part-time at The City Rebar Detailing, Inc. in Morrison. He enjoyed the challenge of learning to estimate rebar and also accurately completing change orders, for many large projects in the U. S. and abroad. He especially enjoyed the comradery of his co-workers. John was active in Emmanuel Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years and sang in the Choir for nearly 50 years. He served on the Consistory several times, and he and his family enjoyed hosting the coffee hour following the church service on Sunday mornings. John loved his family and happily celebrated his and Karen’s 50th wedding anniversary on a family cruise in the Caribbean. Sunday afternoon was not complete without a game of wiffle ball or ping pong. Sledding was a must in the winter, and “kick-the-can” in the summer, when the whole family gathered. For the past year John and Karen made their home at Holland Farms in Norwalk.
Survivors include his wife, Karen; sons and their wives, Mike and Dawn of Norwalk and Scott and Michelle of Morrison; six grandchildren, Mattie (friend Chris Maley) Raygor and Bree Hundwardsen, both of Norwalk, Douglas (Aimee) Mouw of Eldridge, IA, Devin (friend Sarah Wagenecht) Mouw of Morrison, Morgan Mouw and Danny Mouw, both of Davenport, IA; nine great-grandchildren, including Henry Raygor, Kanaan Mouw, Vivian Raygor, Brayden Mouw, Theodore Raygor, Jackson Mouw, Phoenix and Dovah Hunwardsen, and Karson Mouw; brother, Don (Julee) Mouw of Omaha, NE; sister, Sharon (George) Bonnema of LuVerne, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.
A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Emmanuel Church in Morrison, IL, officiated by Rev. Luke Schouten.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
Memorials to Emmanuel Church and the Morrison Athletic Boosters have been established.