In Memory of Alvin H. Mau

Alvin H. Mau, age 87, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021, at the Burgess Health Center of Onawa, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Jerry Raether will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Wall Lake Cemetery of Wall Lake, Iowa. A Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Alvin H. Mau, the son of Herman and Anna (Johnson) Mau, was born on October 26, 1934, in Sac County, Iowa. He grew up in the Wall Lake, Lake View, Ulmer, and the ghost town of Herring, Iowa, areas. Alvin attended country school through 8^th grade and then entered the work force. When in his upper teens, he left home to go build silos throughout Iowa and Illinois. 

In 1957 Alvin enlisted in the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1963. Alvin then moved to Ida Grove, Iowa and worked as a welder at Gomaco for a number of years when the company first began. He then worked for Midwest Industries performing various jobs on the assembly line until his retirement in 2000.

On June 7, 1975, Alvin was united in marriage to Mary Lou Borton in Rhodes, Iowa. The couple made their home in Ida Grove and were blessed with two daughters: Rachelle and Janice.

Alvin enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, wood carving, and gardening. His green thumb could rival any master gardener even though he had never taken a gardening class. He was always working on a project and could never stay still for very long. He loved spending time with his family and was very proud that he taught his daughters home improvement and carpentry skills. In their later years, both Alvin and Mary were active in a wood carving club and volunteered at the Orphan Grain Train in Ida Grove. 

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Mary Mau of Ida Grove, IA; daughters Rachelle Mau of Onawa, IA and Janice Winkelbauer (Jeff Tessman) of Onawa, IA; grandson Liam and a granddaughter on the way; and his sister Judy Mau of Sac City, IA. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Anna Mau; in-laws Thomas and Pauline Borton; extended family and cousins.