Ivan D. Meints

Ivan Dale Meints, 81, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Rev. Chris McComic officiating. Burial was at the Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Visitation was held from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at Ward Van-Slyke Colonial Chapel. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ivan was born on July 22, 1942, to Abner and Edna (Steenblock) Meints and was  raised on the family farm outside of Thornton, Iowa.  He completed his education at Thornton High School and Mason City Junior College.  In the course of his life, he found his greatest love, Patty Graham. They married on Dec. 7, 1963, a love story that has now spanned over 60 years. Together, they welcomed four children: Wendy, Tammy, Steve, and Dave. Ivan was so proud of each of his children and his 11 beloved grandchildren.  

Ivan farmed outside of Thornton for over 50 years. He enjoyed farming with his neighbor and friend, Bob Ristau.  He appreciated nature, loved tending the property, and was in his element working the land.  After retiring, Ivan enjoyed working in his vegetable garden and pumpkin patch, tinkering in his workshop and collecting brass horses, pocket knives and toy tractors. One of his favorite pastimes was joining his fellow farmers for coffee at the Thornton Co-op each morning. 

Ivan was a thoughtful, curious and gentle man and had a passion for writing poetry.  He found joy in laughter, the tunes of country music, and the action-packed stories of Westerns on TV. His true happiness, though, was simply being by Patty’s side, whether they were sitting by the sea wall in Clear Lake, attending church, or just savoring the moments on their front porch.

Ivan is survived by his wife, Patricia (Graham) Meints; his four children, Wendy (Alan) Lunning, Tammy (Scott) Berry, Steven Meints and David (Gretchen) Meints; 11 grandchildren, Michael Lunning, Nicholas Berry, Lindsay Berry, Jennifer Lunning, Benjamin Berry, Cooper Berry, Zevan Gustafson, Sarah Lunning, Hannah Lunning, Izak Gustafson and Gannon Meints;  sisters, Ethel McLaughlin and Carolyn Wood; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Ivan is preceded in death by his mother, Edna (Steenblock) Meints; father, Abner Meints; brothers-in-law, Loras (Pete) McLaughlin, Kenneth Wood and Richard Graham; and nephew, Kyle McLaughlin. 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.