In Loving Memory
Gordon L. Rouse
May 11, 1935 - December 21, 2021

VISITATION
Sunday, December 26, 2021
3:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Monday, December 27, 2021
10:30 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ayrshire, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Paul Schulz

INTERMENT
Silver Lake Cemetery
Ayrshire, Iowa

MILITARY GRAVESIDE RITES
American Legion Post #173
Ayrshire, Iowa

Gordon Lee Rouse, don of Bruce and Helen (Bohn) Rouse, was born May 11, 1935 in Ayrshire, Iowa.  He received his education in Ayrshire, graduating from Ayrshire Consolidated School in 1954.  Following high school, on February 16, 1954, Gordon joined the United States Army.  After completing Basic Training in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Gordon was stationed in Korea where he spent the rest of his service time.  He was honorably discharged on December 15, 1956.

After returning to Palo Alto County, Gordon began farming near Ayrshire.  On December 15, 1957, Gordon was united in marriage to Fern Ricklefs at Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire.  They were blessed with three children.

Gordon was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire, where he held several offices and served on many committees.  He was a 50 year member of the Ayrshire American Legion Post #173 and Palo Alto County Pork Producers.  Gordon also served on the Farmers Coop Board in Ayrshire.

Gordon devoted his life to farming and raising hogs. A highlight for Gordon every summer when the kids were in 4-H, was to help them with the 4-H projects, showing pigs and calves at the county fairs and the State Fair.  He never forgot the great times they had camping at the State Fair where he was the leader of the "Pack". He and Fern enjoyed twenty years of wintering in Arizona and Gordon did enjoy snowmobiling while in Iowa.  He was a member of the Mallard Country Club where he liked playing golf.  A highlight for Gordon was to attend games, concerts and other activities that his grandchildren participated in.  For the past several summers Gordon could be seen roaming the neighborhood on his Ranger, with Sadie always at his side.  He would travel all the way from Silver Lake to Rush Lake and beyond.

Gordon passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 86.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents, Bruce and Helen Rouse; brothers, Don Rouse and Gene Rouse; brothers-in-law, Skip Allen and Martin Ricklefs; nephews, Doug, Dirk and Danny Rouse and Doug Allen.

He is survived by his wife, Fern of Ayrshire, Iowa; his children, Gary and Deb Rouse of Curlew, Iowa, Timothy and Cheryl Rouse of Curlew, Iowa and Angela Rouse of Ames, Iowa; five grandchildren, Nick and Angie Rouse of Urbandale, Iowa, Christie Peters of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Kyle and Jamie Rouse of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Amanda and Ryan Gerardy of Altoona, Iowa and Erin and Brian O'Donnell of Fenton, Iowa; ten great grandchildren, Cale and Mallory Peters, Addison Rouse, Lauren, Miles, Isaac, Nathan and Annie Jo Rouse, Autumn and Claire Gerardy; sisters-in-law, Doris Rouse of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Darlene Allen of Ruthven, Iowa and Pat Ricklefs of Globe, Arizona; nieces and nephews; and his faithful companion, Sadie.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home