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Stephen Irvine, 83, of Marshalltown, IA passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will begin 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Marshalltown Historical Society. Anderson Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Steve was born to Dr. Robert Dare Irvine and Betty Irvine on May 2, 1943.
Steve's grandfather, Charles Irvine, owned Irvinedale Farm in Ankeny, Iowa, which is now the location of Irvinedale Drive on the west side of Ankeny. Charles Irvine bought and sold Belgian draft horses from Scotland. Many of the horses won championships. Alfred was an undefeated champion in 1916 with international honors.
Steve's father was a veterinarian in Newton, Iowa. Steve often helped his father on the job by helping farmers with heavy work and livestock. He could be seen cleaning the dog kennels early before school. At the same time, his family dog, Bridget, was a poodle, and Steve raised and sold poodle puppies. That started a lifelong love of dogs, especially poodles.
During Steve's high school years, he was on the Newton Wrestling team. He remembered being dropped on his head and hearing the crowd roar!
Steve caddied for his father on local golf courses. He has many trophies from when he played golf locally and out of state. He gained a love of golf for a lifetime!
Later in life, Steve sponsored the Marshall County Bar Association Golf Tournament every June. It later became an annual memorial for his son John.
The Boy Scouts was a passion for Steve. He was later disappointed when he came so close to Eagle Scout. Steve had a troop for his son John and grandsons Mitch and Stevie. Troop #317 flew paper airplanes off the balcony and just had fun. He was recognized for devoted and untiring work for Pack #317 and Chairman of the Mid-Iowa Council.
Beginning his education in a one-room schoolhouse west of Newton, Steve graduated from Newton High School in 1961. His college career began at the University of Iowa in 1961 where he met Madelyn Mowry. After asking her father, John Mowry, for her hand in marriage, they married at the Mowry home on Main Street in Marshalltown. They were married for 62 years. Steve joined John Mowry at the Mowry Law Firm and Evans Abstract Company in 1972 with a law school degree in 1971.
Steve loved to travel and witnessed humpback calves in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; 15th Century Inca ruins in Machu Picchu, Peru; the Terra Cotta Army buried in Xian, China; and sailed up the Nile visiting ancient pyramids in Egypt.
Often you would see Steve in the yard digging and planting. He purchased a cabin at Union Grove Lake. His flowers of spring were infectious. After sharing his flowers, plump tomatoes and big cucumbers, he was full of joy.
Steve loved his job. His ambition was to serve his clients. Steve could never take a day off. Before he golfed, he always had a pile of work for the staff. He was at the office by 7:00 a.m. and home at 7:00 p.m. Steve worked for 48 years. All that could stop him was Alzheimer's.
Steve is survived by his wife, Madelyn, of Marshalltown, his grandchildren; Haley Barker, Main Irvine, William Irvine, Harrison Irvine, Russ (Sandy) Irvine, and Stephen (Rhina) McCrink, great-grandchildren; Lyla Rettig, Ryan Rettig, and Mitchell Rettig. He was preceded in death by his son, John, his daughter, Kristen, and grandson, Mitchell.