William Mouw

William Mouw, 88, of Indio, California, formerly of Sioux Center, Iowa, died May 13, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center with Rev. John Lee and Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. A private family interment will be held prior to the memorial service in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

Livestream Link: William Mouw Memorial Service

There will be a celebration of life fellowship and lunch buffett following the memorial service at the Ridge Club House in Sioux Center.

William Frank Mouw was born September 5, 1937, at the family home north of Worthington, Minnesota. He was the third child of six to be born to William Mouw and Elizabeth Van Hofwegan. Ten years later, the family moved to Bellflower, California, where William attended Bellflower Elementary Christian School and Valley Christian High School. At the age of 15, he attended Barber College like his father and started working side by side with his dad, learning new skills and cutting flat tops together. They had good times working side by side for 17 years. At the age of 17, he fell in such love with Ila Jean van Essen from Leota, Minnesota; they joined hands and were married June 28, 1956, at the Leota Reformed Church with Reverend John Vos officiating. Together they had five children, Ricky Lee, Bradley Dale, Rashelle Lynn, Rocklen Wade, and William Trea.

At the age of 34, in 1971, William became a farmer in the Egg industry. The family moved to several different locations, updating the chicken facilities where all the children learned to work together with the chickens on the farm. William was a humble man; with his wisdom and kind heart, he loved helping others start various businesses. The final move with his chickens was to Sheldon, Iowa. During this time, William and Ila Jean made their home in Sioux Center, Iowa. They were blessed with 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, with more on the way.

Upon retirement, the couple traveled in their motorhome back and forth to Indio, California, where they wintered for 21 years. It was a joy for Bill to witness their grandchildren’s baptisms along with professions of faith, high school graduations, college graduation, and going from bleacher to bleacher to championship sporting events. They thanked God each traveling day for their safety. Family was very important to Bill and Ila Jean.

He will be remembered by his loving wife Ila Jean Mouw; son, Rick Mouw spouse Debbie Van Dam; son, Brad Mouw spouse Tracie Van Dam; daughter, Rashelle Mouw Kroes spouse Adrian Kroes; son, Rocky Mouw spouse, Ruthann Haagsma; son, William Mouw spouse Michelle Jansma; along with many grandchildren great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother, Art and Lois Mouw of California; sister, Betty and Corliss Schmidt of Idaho; brother-in-law, Lloyd and Sharon Van Essen of South Dakota; brother-in-law, Orlin and Kathy Vanessen of Sioux Center, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth (Van Hofwegan) Mouw; in-laws, Case and Angeline (Van Essen) Van Dyke; sister, Rika Ingles; sister and brother-in-law, Harriet and James Vogel; nephew, Jerry Vogel; niece, Betty Vogel; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gladys and Alvin Blom.

 William and Ila Jean were grateful for getting to spend and share their lives together for 70 years of marriage. William lived 88 years, 8 months and 8 days.