Barry M. Iwen

Rock Rapids        Barry M. Iwen age 72 of Rock Rapids died Monday, November 20, 2017 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, surrounded by his family.        Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 25th at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Mark Hansen, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids, IA.        Visitation will be Friday, November 24th from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids.          The Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.        Barry M. Iwen was born July 16, 1945 in LeMars, IA, the son of Charles and Betty (Nagel) Iwen. He was raised near Doon, IA, attended Doon public school and graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1963. He served in the Air National Guard for six years. On September 2, 1965 he was united in marriage to Jan Hofstra at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. The couple lived east of Rock Rapids for 48 years where they farmed and raised livestock. In 1986 Barry was hired by the United States Postal Service as a substitute rural mail carrier and became a full-time carrier in 1997. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Barry’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, playing cards, helping people with projects and watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins and New England Patriots. He was very proud of his grandchildren and looked forward to spending time with them. He loved his time at the lake in Minnesota with family and friends. He looked forward each year to spending a week fishing and relaxing with his family at Two Inlets Resort. A fond memory for him was taking a Caribbean cruise with his family to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Barry said he thought he was put on this earth to make people smile. Many would agree.        Barry is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Jan Iwen of Rock Rapids, IA; two daughters, Jodi Gross (special friend, Justin Arends) and her daughter, Taylor of Little Rock, IA; Kim (Paul) Helgerson, and their children Benjamin and Jessa of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother, Robert (Doris) Iwen, Boyden, IA; one sister, Penny (Myron) Krull, Rock Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Cindy Hofstra of Sheldon, IA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Deb and Steve Anderson of Rock Rapids; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.        He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, Cynthia; parents-in-law, Rich and Anna Hofstra; and brother in law, Roger Hofstra.