Robert Glen Muehlenthaler

Robert Glen “Bub” Muehlenthaler, 92, of Ankeny, passed away on January 24, 2020, at the Mercy Hospice House in Johnston. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W First Street, Ankeny, IA). Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Salem United Church of Christ (320 NE 141st Ave, Alleman, IA) with burial to follow at Lincoln cemetery in Alleman, IA.

“Bub” was born on September 9, 1927, to the union of William and Lena Muehlenthaler in Des Moines, Iowa. His father was quick to give him the nickname of “Bub”, which is Swiss for “little boy.”

Bub accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized and confirmed at Salem Evangelical and Reformed Congregation Church, which is now Salem United Church of Christ in Alleman. Bub received his formal education at Alleman School but attended Ankeny his senior year and graduated there in 1947. He grew up on a farm east of Alleman.

This gentle, loving, caring and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts and will be supremely missed by his wife and best friend of 70 years, Monna, and his children Vicki (Bob) Berggren of Le Grand, Nancy (Steve) Lee of Polk City, Julie (Wes) Creason of Indianola, and Mark Muehlenthaler of Alleman.

Bub grew up on a farm east of Alleman and was a farmer at heart from a little boy to adulthood. He had a love for John Deere tractors. He was a bus driver for the North Polk Community School District for 20 years. He started driving school buses when he was a senior in high school, when Alleman students attended Ankeny for High School. He would drive the school bus down in the morning, stay for school, and then drive the school bus back to Alleman after school.

Bub farmed with his father on the family farm near Elkhart and also worked for the Alleman coop. He also worked for Polk County as a Maintainer Operator for 29 years. He spent many late and sometimes all-nighters snow plowing the country roads during the long winter months.

Family was the pivotal essence of Bub’s life. He was proud and honored to be the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to our large family. He has been a major presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, attending every school play, music recital, and sporting event possible. Bub was always there for any important event for all his loved ones, family or not. He made time for those he cherished and leaves us all with hearts full of wonderful memories.

He is a proud grandfather to Dan (Karen), Darrin (Jess), Valerie, Ryan (Mindy), Ashley (Justin), Jared (Jess), Crystal (Terry), and Shawna. He cherished his role of great-grandfather to Taylor, Emily, Toby, Tanner, Jake, Kate, Maddie, Jakayla, Jasani, Jackson, Tiara, Paige, Alena, Jacobe, Rush, Clara, Cash, and Titan.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Lena Muehlenthaler, his brother William “Sam” Muehlenthaler Jr., daughter in law, Lori Muehlenthaler, brother in laws, Dean Williams and Harold “Swede” Howard. He is survived by his loving sisters Rose “Sis” Williams and Dorothy “Toots” Howard, and sister in law, Bernice Muehlenthaler.

He will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bub will be forever remembered for his beautiful smile, gentle eyes, caring heart, and loving embrace and unconditional love. Although our hearts are heavy, we will celebrate his life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us.

Memorials given to the family will be split between Salem United Church of Christ and the North Polk Athletic Activities.