Photo courtesy of Martin-Mattice Funeral Home - Emmetsburg
Emmetsburg, Iowa
1931 - 2024
In Loving Memory
Max E. Rouse
September 13, 1931 - October 9, 2024
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Palo Alto County Hospice.
VISITATION
Saturday, October 12, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 P.M.
United Methodist Church
Mallard, Iowa
SERVICE
Saturday, October 12, 2024
2:00 P.M.
United Methodist Church
Mallard, Iowa
CLERGY
Pastor Sarah Strohman
INURNMENT
Rush Lake Cemetery
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
I met Max while working at lakeside. Good guy was good to have a chance to talk and hear some farming stories. Sending condolences
Matthew Reasoner
October 27, 2024 | Emmetsburg, IA
Dear Coletta and family, I am so sorry to hear about Max. I remember him for always being friendly and visiting in your home a few years ago. I still have many remembrances of you Coletta, Max and I as we graduated in the class of '49,. There aren't many of us left. I pray that the Lord will give you peace, strength and wisdom for the days ahead. John joins me in sending our condolences to all of you. Donna (Lowe) Whitmer
Donna Whitmer
October 13, 2024 | Carol Stream, IL | Friend
Coletta, Jana, Lisa and families, our sympathies for your loss. We will miss seeing him at Venture Out. It was always so nice to catch up on the Iowa news.
Joan and Sid Cornelius
Delores Stroup
Joan Cornelius (Stroup)
October 13, 2024 | Woodbury, MN | Friend
My sympathies to Collette and family. Been many years since I saw you but remember many visits to your house as a child. I thought Max was as handsome as my dad, Harry Stowell a classmate. There were always so many jokes and much laughter hence I remember Maxs big smile. He always had a word with me every time I ran into him in Ayrshire. He was one of the best
Lindy Stowell Buren
Lindy Buren
October 13, 2024 | Sanborn, HI | Friend
My condolences to Coletta and the entire family. What a great friend Max was to us. Every Sunday morning at church in Mesa Az Venture Out, the many games he and Coletta attended. His smile was contagious, a very kind man. We were blessed to have had Max in our lives.
Rick & Sharon Brommer
October 11, 2024 | Rapid City, SD | Friend
My condolences to Colette and family. He was always in such a good mood whenever we met. He was a year ahead of me in high school and I always looked up to him as he was always a “leader” and had good advice for me. RIP Max
James Degnan
October 11, 2024 | Castaic, CA
May God lighten your hearts. Max was a fine gentleman. I remember the fun visits we had with you both.
Wanda Ernst Smith
October 11, 2024 | N. Mankato, MN | Neighbor
Coletta, Jana, and Lisa, and families: My childhood home was just a few miles from Max and his parents in Ayrshire. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Betty (Morgan) Fricke and Alice (Morgan) Anderson
Betty Fricke
October 11, 2024 | COLUMBUS, NE | Neighbor
Our deepest sympathies to Max’ s family members. He left the world a better place because of the life he lived. Repeated sympathy.
Dick and Anne Marie Nelson
October 11, 2024 | Emmetsburg, IA
