PFC Irwin Bernard Niewohner was born Sept. 11, 1929 to William and Elizabeth (Hunke) Niewohner at their farm home near Snyder, NE.  He was their second child of what would become a family of twelve children.  Irwin attended St. Leo's Catholic School and Snyder High School.  He was inducted into the United States Army March 16, 1951, just two months after his oldest brother Joe had been inducted.  Irwin received his Basic training at Fort Leonard, Missouri.  He was stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict at Yokahoma Engeering Depot as a heavy equipment mechanic supervising Japanese mechanics.  He was awarded the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.  He was honorably discharged Feb. 11, 1953.  He returned home to farm with his father.

     On May 18, 1955 Irwin and Geraldine Reiman were united in marriage at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Beemer, Nebraska.  To this union were born five sons; James, Thomas, David, Robert, and Ronald, and three daughters; Patricia, Diane, and Debra.  They farmed near Snyder for four years and in 1959 moved to Onawa, Iowa  Irwin became a very successful farmer and Custom Farm Seed District Manager.  He also worked for National Starch promoting waxy corn.

      Irwin was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church in Onawa, Iowa where he served on the Church Council and Financial Comittee.  He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.

     Irwin passed away July 31, 2013 at the age of 83 years.  Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Geraldine of Onawa.  Five sons;  James Niewohner of Onawa, Thomas (Theresa) Niewohner of Onawa, David (Verlene) Niewohner of Shawnee, KS, Robert Niewohner of Ft. Collins, CO, and Ronald (Melanie) Niewohner of Mondamin, IA, three daughters; Patricia (Dan) Battani of Ankeny, IA, Diane Niewohner of Lawton, IA and Debra (Dave) Brinkman of Sioux Falls, SD, four grandsons; Brian, Cody, and Eric Niewohner and Jeremy Brinkman, eight granddaughters; Rebecca, Stephanie, Amy, Taylor and Jessica Niewohner, Annie Miller, Maria DeJong and Sarah Battani, seven great grandchildren; Graham and Laurel DeJong, Drake and Elle Miller, Caleb, Natalie and Cara Bockelman and Dante Battani, and many nieces and nephews.  Sisters; Mary Ann Kluthe, Betty Cech, Rosemarie McNamara, Marcie Ortmeier, Jan Batenhorst and Rita Ortmeier.  Three brothers; Daniel, Virgil and Bernard, sisters-in-law; Yvonne Niewohner and Myrna Niewohner.  He was preceeded in death by his parents, two brothers; Joe and Leo, brother-in-law Daniel Kluthe and sister-n-law Margery Niewohner. 

     Irwin was devoted to his Catholic Faith, his family, and his love of farming.  He was hard working and fun loving.  He loved polka music and dancing.  He was always ready with a funny story to get you laughing.  He is greatly missed by his family and friends.