Joseph W. Kowzan, 84, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 12:06 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at his home. He was born on January 25, 1941 in DuQuoin, IL to Joseph & Geraldine Hill Kowzan. He graduated from DuQuoin, IL High School in 1958 and served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962 in the Signal Corp, where he was a cryptographer stationed in Heidelberg, Germany during the Berlin Crisis. He married Jane Ann Presswood on January 9, 1965 in DuQuoin, IL. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He worked for Horwath & Horwath CPA’s, Mattel Inc, Midwest Wax Paper as controller/treasurer and human relations/purchasing manager with Burrows Paper Corporation. His family moved to Fort Madison on June 14, 1976. He served as Fourth Ward Councilman, Mayor of Fort Madison and a Lee County Supervisor. As mayor, he believed in quality of life and with the cooperation of the council, he wrote a successful sidewalk program, built a walking trail along Bluff Road and along the riverfront. He built a skate park in Ivanhoe Park, purchased the Valley Clinic building and supervised the building of a new Fort Madison Public Library. He visited Pruem, Germany with the Sister Cities Program as mayor. He created the revolving loan fund to help small start-up businesses and also worked on bringing the bypass to Lee County. The Office of Mayor was a great experience and an opportunity to help the community move forward. As a Lee County Supervisor, he made an economic development trip to South Korea. He made numerous trips as Mayor to Des Moines and Washington, DC to visit our representatives and senators on behalf of the citizens of Fort Madison. He co-founded the North lee County Community Foundation and served on its board for 16 years. He served as president of the Emma Cornelis Hospitality House (a homeless shelter) for 17 years and believed that we have a moral responsibility to help those in need, especially the homeless. He was president of the Fort Madison Country Club, served on the boards of the Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course, Lee County Charitable Foundation, Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce, Fort Madison Economic Development Corporation, Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission and the Fort Madison YMCA board. He was a founding member of Team Gnarly cycling club and rode in ten RAGBRAI events. He was of the Catholic Faith and believed that the two most important days in our life is the day we are born and the day we discover why. He felt that our life was a journey in trying to discover why we are thankful to be born in the greatest country in the world. He believed in stewardship in sharing your time, talent and treasure. He was known for his sense of humor and was always telling stories and quotes to his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening with his buddies and was a master gardener. He was known for his spaghetti sauce & salsa!
He enjoyed traveling and his favorite was to the Holy Land. He enjoyed southern gospel music, classic movies, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, golf and attending grandchildren’s activities. He wrote letters to his grandchildren on their birthday about life experiences and that was something he looked forward to doing. He finished all his letters with “may the source be with you”. He also sent motivational quotes each Monday morning to his children and grandchildren, giving them food for thought and inspiration. He was an avid reader and participated in the book share program at the Fort Madison Library and purchased over 350 books for the library. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan (attended two world series games) and was an Iowa Hawkeye fan (attending a bowl game once). He spent his winters in Mesa, AZ with his wife Jane and was active in playing golf, hiking and touring Arizona. He annually distributed funds from the Kowzan Family Foundation to charitable organizations in the surrounding area. He was a lifetime member of the Elk’s Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Eagles Club, Am Vets and the American Legion.
Joe is survived by: his wife: Jane Kowzan of Fort Madison, IA; 1-daughter: Eva Vande Lune of Des Moines, IA; 1-son: Joseph (Kelly) Kowzan of Pella, IA; 8-grandchildren: Alexa (Niko) Iben, Mariah (Charlie) Hugo, Amelia Vande Lune, Greta Vande Lune, Brigitta Vande Lune, Allee (Tyler) Gosnell, Hailey Kowzan & Evan Kowzan; 3-great grandchildren: Parker Iben, Jaxon Iben & Ike Hugo and 1-brother: Gerald Kowzan of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Daniel Kowzan.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison with Rev. Gary Beckman officiating. Burial will be held at Soldiers’ Circle in Oakland Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the North Lee County Community Foundation or Emma Cornelis Hospitality House. Online condolences to the Kowzan family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
