William Robert Aswegan

William (Bill) Robert Aswegan, Jr. (68) of rural Grundy Center went to his eternal home the evening of Monday, April 13th, after a 5 year battle with cancer. While under the care of Unity Point Hospice. Bill was born July 23, 1951 in Eldora, Iowa. He was the son of William Sr. and Stena Aswegan. Bill graduated from Grundy Center High School, class of 1970. After graduation, Bill attended Waterloo Barber College. In October, 1970 Bill enlisted in the US Navy Reserves and served for six years including two tours of duty to Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). While on the carrier he served in the communications dept, delivering top secret messages to officers. Following two years in the Navy, Bill was united in marriage to Janet Ruth Claassen on March 8th, 1974, at the Reformed Church of Stout (Stout, Iowa). From this union, they welcomed three children, Seth, Adam (AJ), and Staci. Bill worked at the Farmers Coop (later Heartland Coop) in Grundy Center for 43 years. While there he took on many duties. In the spring and summer, he would be found filling anhydrous tanks and hauling chemicals. During the other months he worked as a warehouseman and grainman; visitin...[more]

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ith the farmers while loading, unloading and drying their grain. Bill was a long-time member of Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in rural Holland, IA. Bill served as an Elder, taught Sunday school, assisted with Wednesday night children's programs, VBS, and other events, playing dress up whenever needed. He would do anything to make the kids smile. What Bill may best be known for, and what brought him the most joy was delivering children's sermons, which he presented routinely for 33 years, with very few children's lessons ever being repeated. Bill also served as a lay preacher for surrounding churches for three years. He enjoyed spending time with his family -especially his grandchildren. He loved fishing and would take the kids or grandkids anytime they asked. The grandkids loved going with Grandpa to see Joel Meyer's airplanes load, take off, and land. He was also on the sidelines for many sporting events, and music concerts making sure that all ten grandkids knew he was watching. Bill is survived by his wife, Janet, sons Seth Aswegan, and AJ (Amanda) Aswegan, all of Grundy Center and daughter, Staci (Brent) Schipper of Wellsburg, IA, ten grandchildren, Emmalie, Ethan, Andrew, Ellanie, Kayleigh, Ellis, Zachary, and Abigail Aswegan, Brogan Ellis-Schipper, and Dylan Schipper. Two sisters, Mildred (Larry) Rewerts, of Aplington, IA, and Darlyne (Robert) Brower of Holland, IA, brother-in-law John (Nancy) Claassen of Waterloo, IA, and several nieces and nephews. Bill's memorial service will be on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church in rural Holland with inurnment at Rose Hill cemetery in Grundy Center immediately after the service. Lunch will follow at the church and friends are invited to join the family. Memorials may be directed to the family.