Former Iowa County Attorney Lou McMeen dies at 83

MARENGO — Lou McMeen spent nearly 60 years in Marengo practicing law and working for the community he loved.

Last week the former Iowa County Attorney died at the age of 83.

McMeen, a native of South Dakota, practiced law in Marengo for more than 50 years, serving as Iowa County Attorney twice and prosecuting four murders during that time.

As a private citizen, McMeen was instrumental in getting a levee built to keep the Iowa River at bay, and he led a campaign for construction of a new swimming pool which opened in 2025.

“I love the town. I love the people,” said McMeen in a September 2024 interview.

“I’ve never known of a Marengo, Iowa, without the presence of Lou McMeen,” said Marengo City Administrator Karla Mark last week. “His list of accomplishments and impact to the local community and Iowa County is far too great to list.

“He was fundamental in getting the new pool built, and we’re so glad that he got to be able to see the project to completion and be part of the grand opening,” said Marck. “He was the definition of a pillar of the community. His legacy will live on.”

“Lou McMeen was a vital part of our community and our county,” said Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas. “He took tremendous pride in serving our citizens for so many decades.

“I truly enjoyed working with him over the past few years and deeply appreciate all he has done for Iowa County,” Maas said. “He will be greatly missed by many.”

  Buy Photo

“Lou severed the county admirably for many years. His voice and knowledge will be greatly missed,” said Iowa County Supervisor Chris Montross.

McMeen started college at the University of South Dakota, but he didn’t like it there, he said in a 2004 interview. His father had attended dental school at the University of Iowa, and Lou grew up a Hawkeye fan, so he transferred to Iowa.

McMeen graduated from law school in 1967 and moved to Marengo where he began working for Iowa County Attorney Louis Schultz.

In 1968 McMeen ran for county attorney. He served in that position until 1973. It was a good way to practice trying cases, said McMeen in 2024.

McMeen ran for county attorney again in 1999. “I kind of wanted to get my son involved in it,” McMeen said. His son, Tim, is currently serving as Iowa County Attorney.

One of the things McMeen was proudest of was establishing a drainage district and getting a levee built, he said.

The first time residents were asked about being in a drainage district, they rejected it, McMeen said. They didn’t want to pay the additional taxes.

“That spring they had a really bad flood in town,” said McMeen. Floodwaters reached the courthouse, and the town became supportive of building a levee. “Without it, you wouldn’t want to have a house in Marengo,” McMeen said.

More recently McMeen led the Pool Pals as they raised funds for a new pool after the old one closed in 2020.

An Iowa Valley graduate and client of McMeen’s saw that the pool was closed and indicated that she and her husband would give $250,000 to fix the pool, said McMeen.

The city seemed “luke warm” to the idea and suggested installing a splash pad instead.

McMeen helped rally the community around the idea of building a new pool and helped raise funds to make it happen. A bond issue for the pool passed with 73% of the vote.

Marengo Mayor Adam Rabe described McMeen as “our driving force” during the dedication of the new pool in May of 2025. McMeen “worked tirelessly” to make the new pool possible, Rabe said.

McMeen said during the pool dedication that Marengo has given a lot to him during the 57 years he practiced law there. “This is my way of giving back to the community.”

McMeen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marengo for more than 55 years, his obituary says. He was a member of the Iowa County Bar Association, the State of Iowa Bar Association, the State of Iowa Bar Association board of directors, Marengo Kiwanis, the Marengo Chamber of Commerce and El-Kahir Shriners.

McMeen was a founding member of the Dean Mason Ladd Inn of Court, past president of the Iowa County I Club. He was the Iowa County Republican Chair for Gov. Robert Ray’s election campaign.

A memorial service for McMeen was set for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15 at the First United Methodist Church in Marengo.

Memorial funds have been established for First United Methodist Church Marengo and Safe Haven of Iowa County. Messages may be left at powellfuneralhomes.com.