A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Muhlbauer, age 93, of Milford and formerly of Everly, Iowa, was held Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Interment was at North Lawn Cemetery in Spencer. Memorials may be given to the Arnolds Park Public Library at 62 Hwy 71, Unit 1, Arnolds Park, IA 51331.
Thomas William Muhlbauer was born on November 20, 1931, to Joseph and Alma (Berens) Muhlbauer in Carroll County, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Halbur. He received his early education at St. Augustine Catholic School & Carroll County Public Schools. He helped his parents and area neighbors on the farm.
At the age of 17, the Muhlbauer family moved to a farm near Everly. Tom worked at Spencer Cement Block Works in Spencer for 4 years. It was during this time he met Peggy Kriens from Moneta. The two dated and then married on November 20, 1952, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Royal.
In the spring of 1953, Tom was drafted into the US Army. He was stationed stateside at Camp Polk, LA, and Ft. Riley, KS. Tom was honorably discharged and returned to his job in Spencer.
The opportunity was presented to Tom to begin farming outside Everly. This opportunity took him on a 50+ year career of livestock and row crop farming – an occupation he loved and appreciated.
Tom and Peg retired to their lake home in Okoboji in 1992. Through his 93 years, Tom enjoyed fishing, playing cards, snowmobiling, pranking the grandkids at Christmas time, frequenting casinos, reading western and word search books, wintering many years in Arizona, visiting with all the neighbors over a cold one, and collecting miniature John Deere tractors. It was important for him to always dress up and look good! Most important to him was his faith and spending time with all of his family.
Tom passed away on Wednesday, August 13th, at the Spencer Hospital at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Steve in 1991, great-grandson Bradley Cassavant in 2013, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 72 years – Peggy; his son Dan (Cheryl); daughters Julie (Tim) Fairchild and Becky (Aaron) Hyatt, all of Milford; Nancy (Gary) Farmer of Ames; and Amy (Jason) Miller of Omaha. Tom’s family also includes 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren with another one on the way; sisters Rita Gehling and Judy (Gordy) Benson; sisters-in-law Norma Muhlbauer and Helen Muhlbauer; and many other family and friends.
Blessed be his memory.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
