Neal Earl IRWIN

IRWIN, SWENSON, SKOUGE, MURPHY, ANDERT, PONTIOUS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/6/2015 at 13:49:11

June 16, 1927 ---- November 15, 2014

Neil Earl Irwin centered his life around family, farming, service to others and love for his country. Neil was born on the home farm, west of Sac City on June 16, 1927, to Earl and Olga (Swenson) Irwin. He attended Country School for his primary grade education and graduated from Sac City High School in 1944, at the age of 16. Neil joined the United States Navy in 1945, and served for two years on the U.S.S. Corry and the U.S.S. Grand Canyon. After his honorable discharge, he attended Iowa State College in Ames on the GI Bill, and graduated with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts education and economics.

In 1951, Neil started farming with his father, Earl. That same year, he met a young school teacher, Marilyn Skouge, on a blind date. They were married on Aug. 23, 1953, in the Lutheran Church of Kanawha. Three children were born to this union. Julie LaVonne, Michael James and David Neil. Neil, Marilyn and family ran a very active grain and livestock farming operation, including hogs and a large Grade A Holstein dairy herd.

Neil was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church in Sac City, and was extremely active in the community. In the Lion's Club, he served a term as president. He held a number of offices, including president in the Farm Bureau. Neil also held leadership roles, including Commander for the V.F.W. Post 590, and he was a member of the American Legion. Additionally, he served many years on the board for the West View Village housing project where he committed numerous hours to complete construction and maintenance projects. As a dairyman, Neil served on the local and national dairy boards as well as on the corporate board for the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (A.M.P.I.) and as a lobbyist for that organization. Neil's educational background, as well as his love for teaching and helping others, twice earned him the Honorary Chapter Farmer Award with the Sac City Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.) For many years, he capitalized on his love of visiting with people by selling seed corn and won many awards and bonus trips for his salesmanship. Neil and Marilyn enjoyed this opportunity to travel. He loved playing Bridge with his friends, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family, children and grandchildren.

Neil and Marilyn were soul mates and partners for over 61 years. A treasured trip together was to visit relatives and landmarks from their Scandinavian heritage in Norway and Sweden. 'Work' was Neil's hobby, and he loved farming and accomplishing projects. He never truly retired from his life-long vocation and was continuously energized by planting, harvesting and a "full day's work". While Neil did not often speak of his Navy years, he was passionate and tireless in his mission to ensure that local veterans are honored in life and in death for their service to America.

Neil passed from this life on Nov. 15, 2014, in Rochester, Minn., following a two-month illness. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children Julie (Rick) Murphy, Algona; Mike (special friend, Lois Andert), Shakopee, Minn.; David (special friend Becky Pontious), Sac City; grandsons Dan Irwin, Titonka; Mark Irwin, Sac City; and Cody Pontious, Sac City; brother, Dwight of Golden, Colo.; sister-in-law, Phyllis Irwin of Stillwater, Okla.; and many cousins. Neil was preceded in death by his parents; brother Craig; sisters-in-law Carol Irwin and Mary Skouge; brother-in-law Oren Skouge; and nephew Danny Irwin.

Algona Upper Des Moines -- Algona, Iowa
November 26, 2014