JAMES D. MOUW
October 11, 2018
Funeral services for Jim Mouw, 80 year old Buffalo resident who passed away Thursday morning at the Johnson County Health Care Center in Buffalo, will be held Tuesday, October 16th at 10:00 a.m. from the Big Horn Baptist Church in Buffalo with Joe Lansidel officiating. A private family Interment will be held at a later time. Donations in Mr. Mouw’s memory may be made to the Jim Gatchell Museum in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com
James Dudley Mouw was born on November 20, 1937 in Orange City, Iowa to Harry and Wilhelmina Mouw. He and his older two brothers were raised in Orange City. After high school, Jim served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. Following his military service, Jim attended college and received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern College in Orange City and his graduate degrees in English and Education Administration from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. On June 22, 1961, he married Audrey in Orange City, Iowa where they made their home.
Jim was an educator for 31 years in Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming and Minnesota, holding positions as a teacher and principal. Post retirement, and true to form, he retained his status as the consummate grammarian.
Jim also worked as a deputy on the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department for a number of years and volunteered on the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department and Johnson County Search & Rescue.
More recently, Jim worked at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center where he enjoyed providing directions, sharing information on local attractions and adding Wyoming history to any conversation. He often quipped, “I love this job because I can tell people where to go and get away with it.”.
Jim’s hobbies included woodworking, hunting, reading, camping and bantering.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey Mouw of Buffalo; one son, Keith Mouw also of Buffalo; one daughter, Karla Mouw of Phoenix, Arizona, one grandson, Colter Mouw of Ranchester and one brother Harlan Mouw of Alexandria, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Marvin Mouw.
