Thomas Alfred Mouw

IN MEMORY OF
THOMAS A. MOUW

BORN
November 26, 1924
Middleburg, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
May 25, 2006
Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
1:30 P.M. Tuesday, May 30, 2006
First Reformed Church, Sheldon, Iowa

CLERGYMEN
Rev. David Brower and Rev. Gordon Bloemendaal

MUSIC
“On Eagle’s Wings”
“Amazing Grace”
Sung by: Susan Lichty
Accompanist: Arlys Oosterhuis
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
No. “The Old Rugged Cross”
Organist: Midge Andringa

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
All of his friends
CASKET BEARERS
Mark Mouw Brian Mouw
Jordan Mouw Chad Schnoor
Dennis Mouw Daryl Mouw
Lane Struyk J.D. Brostrom

FINAL RESTING PLACE
East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service, relatives and
friends are invited to join the family in the
fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa

THOMAS A. MOUW

Thomas Alfred Mouw, the son of Joe and Minnie (De Groot) Mouw, was born November 26, 1924 near Middleburg, Iowa. He attended a country school there and later at Boyden, Iowa. On December 7, 1946, he was united in marriage to Bernice Struyk in Sheldon, Iowa. After their marriage they farmed near Boyden for a year, and then moved to their present farm north of Sheldon. They retired several years ago and have wintered the past 25 years in Mesa, Arizona. He passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon, Iowa, reaching the age of 81 years, 5 months and 29 days.
He was a member of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their Lake Okoboji home. His life was farming and his ability to do mechanical, carpentry and electrical work made his occupation enjoyable as well as a hobby.
His battle with cancer and his other illnesses lasted five years and during that time he rarely complained and had a very uplifting attitude. He was an inspiration to everyone with his grace, humor and discipline. His unwavering courage against all odds will inspire us always.
Tom leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Bernice of 59 years; two children and their spouses, Thomas Jr. and Jill Mouw of Sheldon, Iowa; Mary and Dave Brostrom of Spencer, Iowa; six grandchildren, Mark Mouw; Teresa Schnoor; Brian Mouw; Mikayla Mouw; Dylan Mouw; J.D. Brostrom; two great-grandchildren, Jordan Mouw and Alyssa Schnoor; a brother and his wife, Maurice and Betty Mouw of Boyden, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by an infant great-granddaughter and his parents.








God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be,
He closed his arms around you
and whispered, “Come to me.”
In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
you fought so hard to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
so peacefully, free from pain,
We would not wish you back,
to suffer that again.
So treasure him, Lord,
in your Garden of Rest,
For here on earth,
he was one of the best.