In Memory of Ivan L. Auen

Ivan Auen, age 96, of Wall Lake, Iowa (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Twilight Acres of Wall Lake, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. David Lyons will officiate. A Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

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

Ivan Lowell Auen, the son of Dick and Matilda (Dreessen) Auen, was born on July 31, 1928, in rural Wall Lake, Iowa. He grew up in rural Crawford County and attended country school through the 8^th grade. He then began working as a farm hand for local farmers.

On August 23, 1950, Ivan was united in marriage to Darlene Sass at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The couple was blessed with three children: Linda, Bob, and Renee. The family was engaged in farming and lived on farms in the Ida Grove, Arthur, and Kiron, Iowa, areas. After retiring from farming, the couple moved to Odebolt, Iowa, where Ivan was the owner/operator of a trucking business until he fully retired. In June of 2021 Ivan and Darlene moved to Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, where they resided until their passing.

Ivan was a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt. He was one of the founding members of the AA group in Odebolt and was very active within the organization until his health prevented him from attending. But most important to Ivan, was spending time with his grandchildren as well as visiting with his siblings. He treasured time spent with his family as well as going out to supper with Darlene to their favorite restaurants. Ivan could often be found enjoying a cup of coffee at Cubby’s while visiting with his friends. Ivan loved sitting outside on his swing soaking up the warmth of the sun. In his free time, he could be found playing a friendly game of Cribbage or playing Solitaire….even learning how to play it on the computer. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his children Linda (Dale) Godbersen, Bob (Carol) Auen and Renee (Steve) Bengford all of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren Jade (Colton) Carstensen of Odebolt, IA, Broc (Amy) Auen of Newton, IA, Melanie Auen of Centennial, CO, Megan Auen of Aurora, CO and Kady (Austin) Steinkamp of Wall Lake, IA; and great-grandchildren Jace, Brenen and Marley Auen, Candon, Camryn and Caylor Carstensen, and Tate Steinkamp; brother Herbert Auen of Lake View, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dick and Matilda Auen; wife Darlene Auen; grandson Trent Godbersen; brothers Arnold, Jack, Wallace, and Richard; sisters Margaret, Edna, and Emogene.