Harold Smouse

Harold Washington, son of Don and Emma (Rhubee) Smouse, was born February 23, 1918 at Buffalo Center, IA. At the age of two he moved with his family to a farm southwest of Coon Rapids. He attended Viola School and after completing his schooling started helping his father and neighboring farmers. In December of 1940 Harold started aircraft school in Omaha, NE. When he finished he was hired by Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, NY. While there he was sent to Niagara Falls to work on the first Bell helicopter ever produced. The next year, Maxine Dobson traveled by train to New York where she and Harold were united in marriage on July 4, 1941 in Kenmore, NY. Their daughter Linda was born there but only lived for 27 months. After the end of World War II, they returned to Coon Rapids, IA where Larry and Ron were born. Harold worked at International Harvester for about ten years. During that time the company sent him to Romania to set up machinery that had been purchased along with seed corn from the area. Next he started repairing machinery on his own, renting a building downtown. Later he and Maxine purchased a building of their own continuing Smouse General Service, a.k.a. Smouse's Lousy Service. He started working with heating, cooling and appliances and just about anything that had an engine or motor. Sometimes he and his brother Jake would fabricate their own parts when none was available through their suppliers. Harold never really retired, working out of his double garage at home on golf carts and lawn mowers. In 1978, after a long search, they purchased a Ford Model A. He enjoyed refurbishing old cars and trucks and drove his in many parades in the area. In addition to his work, Harold was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Odd Fellows Lodge, where he was secretary for over 60 years, and the Chamber of Commerce. He and Maxine took many road trips and spent 20 years in Florida during the winter months where they made many friends. He also enjoyed bowling and had a team for over 40 years. During his life, 60 years of fishing trips were very important to him. Harold suffered a terrible fall at his home on Wednesday, October 7, 2014 and was eventually life flighted to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He died there on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 23 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; two children Linda Smouse and Larry Smouse; brothers: Jake Smouse (Ethyl), Fritz Smouse (Maxine), Dale Smouse (Ada), Donald Smouse (Ruth), and Charlie Smouse and sisters Jessie Schumacher (Walt) and Thelma Olson (Harvey). Harold is survived by his wife Maxine Smouse of Coon Rapids; son Ron Smouse (Pam) of Springfield, MO; seven grandchildren Jennifer Plehall (David), Bryan Smouse (Becky), Tom Smouse, Josh Smouse, Jake Smouse, Jess Smouse and McClain Smouse (Trudy); six great grandchildren; sisters in law Marlene Smouse of Scranton and Margaret Dobson of West Plains MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. REVEREND JOYCE WEBB Music "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" CINDY SEASTROM, VOCALIST "HOW GREAT THOU ART" CONGREGATION LULA GARNES, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers BRYAN SMOUSE TOM SMOUSE JAKE SMOUSE JESS SMOUSE REID BOWMAN DAVE PLEHALL Interment COON RAPIDS CEMETERY COON RAPIDS, IOWA