Ivan H. Rowedder was born in Manning, Iowa, August 24, 1925, the son of Herman and Katie (Karstens) Rowedder. He was raised in the Manning area and received his education in the rural schools of Crawford County. Following his schooling he was employed by various farmers in the Westside and Manning areas.

On December 27, 1945, Ivan was united in marriage with Norma Roecker at the Sacred Heart Rectory in Manilla, Iowa. Their union was blessed with four sons; Rick, Dennis, Marc and Michael. Their early married years were spent at Manning before moving to the farm near Schleswig, Iowa, in 1949, where Ivan was engaged in farming. They later farmed near Deloit and Denison. In 1969, Ivan retired from farming and moved to Denison where he was employed at Farmland. In 1985 they moved to Schleswig, and after retiring from Farmland in 1988, for pleasure and pastime, Ivan worked for several farmers and Schleswig Ag.

In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing cards.

He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison.

Since October of 2009, Ivan had resided at the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, and that is where his death occurred Friday evening, June 3, 2011. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 85 years, 9 months and 9 days.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents: Herman and Katie Rowedder; one brother, Herbert Rowedder; two sisters: Emma Rowedder and Elsie Anthony; and one grandson, Chad Rowedder.

Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 65 years, Norma Rowedder of Schleswig, Iowa; four sons: Rick Rowedder and wife, Jodene of Granger, Iowa; Dennis Rowedder and wife, Ruth of Parker, Colorado; Marc Rowedder and wife, Kris of Denison, Iowa; and Michael Rowedder and fiancee, Rita Schoemann of Wiota, Iowa; six grandchildren: Nicole, Scott, Aaron, Austin, Alexa and Andrew; other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the Mass included Christian Symbol Placers: Norma Rowedder, Rick Rowedder, Dennis Rowedder, Marc Rowedder, and Michael Rowedder; Servers: Ann Ahart and Cassidie Ahart; Lector: Diane Jannings; Gift Bearers: Nicole Rowedder and Scott Rowedder; and Eucharistic Ministers: Dorothy Leinen, Ione Hinners and Carolyn VonTersch. Music for the mass was provided by Matthew Griffen and St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing "Ave Maria", "On Eagle's Wings", "Old Rugged Cross", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", and "How Great Thou Art" with Jean Cornelius as accompanist. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Denison. Following the interment all were invited to the Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where at 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011, a Parish Vigil Service, led by Father Paul Kelly, was held.