Herbert Dale Muhlenbruch

Herbert Dale Muhlenbruch passed away March 27, 2015 (89 years, 1 month) at 09:11 am peacefully at home on West Scott Farm. Herbert, the son of Art and Ina (Coombs) Muhlenbruch, was born February 27, 1926 on a farm near Alexander, Iowa. Herb attended several country schools and graduated from Rowan School May 1943. Herb was the oldest of 6 children born to Art and Ina. After high school, Herb farmed with his father and did custom baling & combining. Herb enlisted in the Army in 1951. He served as a baker in France / Germany. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1953. He returned to Iowa and worked in Mason City as a mason, then came back and farmed with his father until his marriage. He was united in marriage to Melissa Jane Cleveland June 26, 1955. They resided north of Alexander four years, moved to a farm east of Dows one year, moved to a farm near Kanawha, Iowa two years. They moved to West Scott Farm, near Dows, in 1963 and have lived there for 52 years. Herb and Jane raised six children; Sallie Jo, Steven, Kevin, Nancy, Alan and Gaylen. The family raised corn, soybeans, hay and other crops, as well as operated a dairy farm where the fam...[more]

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worked side-by-side from dawn to dusk. Herb retired from active dairy/farming in 1994. He enjoyed his family, including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Herb loved animals and nursed many of them back to health. His grandchildren fondly remember never taking a sick cat or animal to the vet, instead took them to Grampa where he treated and healed them. Other grandchildren remember Herb's genuine caring heart when he took them home after riding a bicycle to the farm, but he would stop before they got home to unload the bike so the parents did not know that they did not ride home. He strove to be a man of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness who fought the fight of faith. He was not a lay down man, he was a work hard man. His German heritage led him to embrace life with stubborn strength and determination that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Herb was a member of Coulter Creamery Board of Directors, Farm Credit Service, Franklin County Historical Society, Dairy Herd Improvement Association and church boards. He loved working with young people through 4H and FFA. He hosted many visitors to the farm to witness the life of a dairy farmer, including friends from across the country, Denmark and Brazil. He was politically active for many years and ran for Iowa State Senate in 1994 following his retirement. Herb was a member of Dows United Methodist Church, American Legion Watson Beach Post #523, American Guernsey Breeders Association, and Mid-America Dairymen. Herbert is survived by his wife of 59.75 years, the love of his life, Jane; children Sallie Jo (Mike Rivera), Elgin, IL; Steven (Je), Latimer, IA; Kevin, Mason City, IA; Nancy (Dave Sherman), West Liberty, IA; Alan (girlfriend Marsha), Alexander, IA and Gaylen / Duke (girlfriend Kelli), Galt, IA; grandchildren David Rivera (Miriam), Megan (Kyle Toyne), Elisa, Morgan, Melissa, Vinnie, Abby, Dillon and Lindsey; and great grandchildren Teresa, Michael, Braxton, Trennen, David Lee Angel and Tacoma. Also surviving are Herb's siblings, Delbert (Kathy), Gilbert (Fran), Shirley, Darwyne (Linda), Neil (Kathie), and sister-in-law Sallie Cope plus numerous beloved nieces and nephews and many, many friends and cousins. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-laws Arnold Klemme and Robert Cope, numerous uncles and aunts and several cousins. Burial will take place at the Alexander Cemetery in Alexander, Iowa