Albert "Al" Mews

INWOOD, IA: Albert “Al” Mews, 80, of Inwood, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Fellowship Village of Inwood. A funeral service will be held Monday, December 23, at 10:30 AM at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Inwood with Pastor Sue Sinclair officiating. The service will be recorded and available for viewing after the service at https://www.porterfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/albert-al-mews. Burial will follow at Richland Cemetery of Inwood. Visitation with the family present will be held Sunday, December 22, from 3:30-5:00 PM at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Fellowship Village or Bethlehem Lutheran Church, both of Inwood. Porter Funeral Home of Inwood has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements for Mr. Mews. 

Albert Allen Mews, oldest son of Albert G. and Ruth (Spiegler) Mews, was born July 13, 1944, in Williamsburg, Iowa. He passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024, in Inwood, Iowa, at the age of 80.

Al, his two sisters, and brother grew up together on the family farm just outside of Williamsburg. In high school, he excelled in sports, including basketball, track, baseball, and football. His accomplishments included an all-conference basketball honorable mention and the fourth fastest time in state history for quarter milers, recorded while running at the state outdoor track finals his senior year.

Al went on to attend college, playing basketball and baseball for Burlington Junior College, before transferring to Wartburg College, where he completed his degree in physical education. He began his career teaching and coaching in Shelby, Iowa, where he was known as “Mr. Sport.” There he met and soon married his fellow teacher, Linda Lanham.

Al and Lin moved to Inwood, Iowa, in 1972, when Al accepted the position as head coach for the West Lyon varsity football team and teacher of junior high science. In his early years coaching, one could often find Lin and his growing family in the stands or the young children running the field at scrimmages. Over the years, he held various positions at West Lyon, including Athletic Director, coach for his kids in basketball and football, referee, umpire, and track official. In his time as Athletic Director, he started the first golf team at the school. Al left an indelible memory in the minds of students he taught and coached over the decades. Most will still be able to recite his five rules for test taking (for certain the fifth and final rule). 

Al’s passion for sports extended well past his playing and coaching days. He had an unflagging love for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the New York Yankees, and over the years has rooted for a long list of schools and teams associated with kids, grandkids, and extended family. 

Along with his love of sports, Al was an avid outdoorsman. He took sacrament in nature’s beauty in the manner of a true science teacher. Whether it was hunting for pheasants and fox, or perched on the bank of the river with a pole, he loved being outside. He shared this wonder eagerly with his children, preaching recreation with respect for the land and its creatures.

Al was steadfast in his faith and was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Over the years, he enjoyed the social nature of ushering for services, serving on various boards, and in retirement, acting as church custodian. 

In his later years, he took on the unexpected role of caretaker as Lin’s health declined. He was devoted to spending time with her and became a permanent fixture at Fellowship Village, even before becoming a resident himself. He even took on a position as a feeder so he could see her daily, in person, during the pandemic lock-down. 

Al was the consummate entertainer. He always had a story or joke for every occasion, many honed to perfection over years of telling and retelling. He loved to share memories of his family growing up, his college years and road trips in his youth, his many coaching and teaching escapades, and all the famous and semi-famous athletes he played with, against or coached. He loved nothing more than getting Lin to laugh with a joke or funny story.

He rarely left Inwood after Lin was unable to travel, but he took full advantage of technology to keep them both connected. He used FaceTime to attend every family celebration and saw many sights by dropping in on family vacations. You could often find Al in front of his computer or iPad streaming a game or keeping up with his grandkids’ activities, whether sports, dance, drama, music, or church. Every accomplishment of his children or grandchildren was a source of great pride for Al. 

We will dearly miss his regular video calls, his constant worrying about the weather conditions, his sports analysis and his sarcasm. We are saddened to know future generations will never experience his renditions of Black Beauty or A Pine Tree. If each generation is like a leg in a relay, Al stepped up to the line and ran his best race – he passed the baton in a much better position than he received it. For that, we are forever grateful.

Al is survived by his children and their spouses, Liz (Kevin) Lemcke of Black Hawk, SD; Laurie (Adam) Politzer, Waukee, IA; Susan Mews, Chicago, IL; Al (Jayme) Mews, North English, IA; daughter-in-law Jessica (Paul) Mews, Grand Island, NE; Amy Mews, Lincoln, NE; Cindy (Robbie) Harris, Waukee, IA; Lee (Kelsey) Mews, Waukee IA, as well as his grandchildren, Alayna and Christian Lemcke; Abby and Kate Politzer; Clara, Gwen and Ada Mews; Caleb, David and Drew Mews; Camarion Mews; Lydia and Nora Harris; and Eloise, William and Avery Mews. He is also survived by his siblings and siblings-in-law, Cal Uhlig, Ankeny, IA; Diana and Chris Caldwell, Moline, IL; Bob and Cindy Mews, Waterloo, IA; Nancy & Bob Grogan, North Platte, NE; and Tom and Mel Lanham, Holdrege, NE. Al held a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews: Kristen, Dave (Katie), Grete, Kassy, Rachel, Anne Marie, Lisa (Eric), Jill (Scott), Andrew (Brandy), Rachel (Ryan) and Stephen (Leticia). 

Al was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lin, his parents, Albert and Ruth Mews, his gentle and kind son, Paul, his sister, Mary Uhlig, his parents-in-law, Don and Louise, and brother-in-law, Steve. He is surely with them now, regaling them with one of his many stories.