Funeral services for Max Rouse were held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at United Methodist Church in Mallard, Iowa.
Inurnment was at Rush Lake Cemetery in Curlew, Iowa.
Max Earl Rouse was the first child born to Forest and Frieda (Krause) Rouse on September 13, 1931 in Spencer, Iowa. They moved to a farm near Ayrshire where his five siblings were born. Max received his education in Ayrshire, graduating from high school in 1949. He continued his education at Iowa State College during the fall and winter quarter. He then made the decision to get his agricultural education on the farm in a totally practical environment.
Max married his high school girlfriend, Coletta Grafe on March 16, 1952. They farmed near Ayrshire where Jana Lee was born in 1954, before moving on a farm near Curlew, where Lisa Ann was born in 1960.
Max was always amazed at the agricultural changes he saw during his time farming. As he always stated, he began his farming career hunched over on the little two bottom plow tractor, with Coletta following along on her own tractor. And now, you set the G.P.S. steering device on a 300 hp tractor in an airconditioned cab and watch the work get done. One of Max’s greatest pleasures was the harvest with the new combine and his “girls” helping with the field work.
Max had the joy of developing many friendships in the Curlew area. He and Coletta shared many camping trips with their homemade, fold down camping trailers and always went west to the mountains. After they graduated to motor home traveling for several years they landed in Venture Out in Mesa, Arizona in 1977 and spent many winters there. Playing Senior softball in Mesa was Max’s main activity.
Max served as president of Farm Bureau in 1960 and 1961 and was a voting delegate. He served on various committees in the Curlew Methodist Church and later the Mallard Methodist church. He was also a member of the Palo Alto Farm Service.
Max passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents, Forest and Frieda Rouse and a brother, Denny Rouse.
He is survived by his wife, Coletta of Emmetsburg, Iowa; his daughters, Jana Steen and husband, Tom of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Lisa Siebrecht and husband, Dale of Curlew, Iowa; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Tricia Smith, husband Noah, and their children Ella and Max, Grant Steen, wife, Rebekah, and their son, Levi, Leah Sexton, husband, Mark, and their children Camryn and Terry; brother, David Rouse; sisters, Virginia Tate, Julie Egland and Janet Finnegan; nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
martinmatticefuneralhome.com
