John Harlan Mouw, 75, went to be with his Lord on March 10, 2008. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side.

John was born on July 4, 1932, in Leota, Minn. He was the first of six children born to Henry and Bertha Mouw. In 1952, John married Gloria Vanden Bosch. The couple was blessed with four children: Glenn, Randy, Mark and La Donna. After serving in the U.S. Army, John earned his liberal arts degree from Northwestern Junior College and Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Washington University, Bellingham. Later, he earned a master’s degree in psychology from Eastern Washington University.

In 1957, John and his wife, Gloria, as well as extended family, moved from Minnesota to Oak Harbor. John was a teacher and middle school counselor for the Oak Harbor School District for 35 years, retiring in 1992. He was an elder at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor. During their retirement years, John and Gloria traveled throughout the country, visiting family and friends. They enjoyed spending the winter months with family and friends at their home in Arizona.

John loved music (especially the hymns of Christian faith), writing, gardening, traveling, crossword puzzles, woodworking, and old cars. His real love, however, was his family. In 1998, he wrote an extensive history of the Mouw family dating back to his ancestor’s arrival in southwest Minnesota in the late 1800s. The book recounts the triumphs and struggles of the early Dutch pioneers in the Midwest and has been a blessing to hundreds of his extended family members.

John will be remembered for unwavering love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he served his entire life. His enduring faith is a continuing blessing and inspiration for those he leaves behind.

John Harlan Mouw is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gloria, his mother Bertha Mouw, five siblings, four children: Glenn, Randy, Mark and La Donna (Terpstra). Thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Mouw.

Memorial services will be celebrated at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, with Rev. Jon Brown officiating. Private family graveside services will proceed at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. Memorials may be sent to the Oak Harbor Christian School Foundation or Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.