Iva Rose KorsgadenDecember 15, 1931 - January 31, 2017VisaliaIva Rose Korsgaden was born on December 15, 1931 in Taft, California. She spent her childhood and adolescent years in Taft with her parents, Percy and Clara Smith, her sister, Mary Sullivan, her brother John (Bud) Smith (deceased), and her sister Edna Zumbro. Iva attended Taft High School and graduated in 1949. In a move which reflected her courageous and adventurous spirit, Iva relocated to Southern California on her own after high school. She settled in the Long Beach area where she worked for a few years before meeting her husband, Orville Korsgaden. The couple married on April 14, 1956 when Iva was twenty-five years old, and they had five children: Alan, Keith, Troy, Stacy, and Sharon.Iva, Orville, and their children moved from Southern California to Clovis in 1966. After living in Clovis for a short time, they moved to Visalia. Visalia was appealing to Iva and Orville because Iva's sister Mary and her family already lived there, and because they recognized it as a promising place to raise a family and start a business. Orville bought a small barber shop on Tulare Street, and the family of seven began their life together in Visalia.A year and a half after moving into their home on Howard Street, Orville was tragically killed in a car accident. Iva stepped into this role of single parent with courage and with grace, making the conscious decision to devote every ounce of her time, energy, and love to her family. She had the help of family and many friends throughout the Visalia Community.After the death of her husband, Iva supported her children with a Life Insurance policy Orville had left behind, as well as through her part-time job with Tulare County Tax Collectors Office. When her children were older, she took a full-time position with the DMV. Iva dearly loved her colleagues and her work, but above all else, she found her purpose in being a mother. Her children remember her presence at every sporting event, performance, and school ceremony. She found joy in the involvements of her children, a practice which continued with her grandchildren. Iva retired from the DMV when she was sixty-five years old. Not one to be idle, she immediately transitioned into the role of CFO and bookkeeper for her son and daughter's insurance agency. As business began to expand, so did her role. At one point, Iva oversaw the finances for seven businesses - which included Korsgaden/Jansma Insurance Agency, Korsgaden International Consulting firm, and Crawdaddy's restaurant - with over 100 employees. Iva worked in this role full time until she was eighty-five. As a colleague, she was encouraging to others and loved it when things were done with excellence. As a part of her responsibilities, Iva made regular visits to local banks, and her tellers became some of her dearest friends. Iva had the opportunity to work with her children, their spouses, and multiple grandchildren during these years, which is something that brought her immense joy. In her free time, Iva loved attending Visalia First Assembly and listening to Pastor Mike Robertson preach. Church was always followed by lunch with her family, where Iva delighted in good conversation and delicious food. She attended painting classes at the senior center, played Bunco with her friends, took trips to the casino with her sister, Edna, visited at Red Hat Society Socials, and rarely missed a women's trade club. Iva lived a full and adventurous life, and she never passed up an opportunity for fun!Of the numerous hobbies Iva enjoyed, time with her family topped the list. She is survived by her five children: Alan (Judy) Korsgaden, Keith Korsgaden, Troy Korsgaden, Stacy (Jodi Ramirez) Korsgaden, Sharon (Mike) Jansma. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren: Nick Korsgaden, Jaclyn (Zach) Miramontes, Jamie Korsgaden, Kris Korsgaden, John Korsgaden, Michael Korsgaden, Emily Korsgaden, Sara Jansma, Connor Jansma, Lauren Korsgaden, and one great-grandson, Dominic Miramontes. During her life, Iva poured every part of herself into knowing and loving each one of them. Iva's final days and hours were spent surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She left this life to be with Jesus on the evening of Tuesday, January 31, 2017, her body and spirit beautifully worn out from years of loving and living. Iva's family invites you to join them in honoring her life on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1PM at Visalia First Assembly, corner of Akers/Caldwell. Following her service will be a reception at Crawdaddy's in Downtown Visalia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visalia First Building Fund, where lives are being changed: 3737 S Akers St, Visalia CA 93277. Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.