Obituary of Earl Muilenburg

Earl Muilenburg, age 83, of West Okoboji, Iowa, passed away October 21, 2016. Earl Lee Muilenburg was the son of Isaac and Alice (Walters) Muilenburg. He was the sixth of seven children born on a farm north of Melvin, Iowa on October 28, 1932. He was baptized and confirmed in the American Lutheran Church in Melvin. His parents bought the farm and land just a mile and a half west of Hartley, Iowa and moved the family when Earl was a young boy. Earl attended country school until 8th grade and was the only one in his class. He graduated in 1951 from Hartley High School. He was the first in his chapter to be named an American farmer by the Future Farmers of America. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. The Army wanted Earl to attend officer’s training but he declined because he wanted to return to Iowa to his true calling of being a farmer. On September 18, 1966, Earl was united in marriage to Donna Lorraine Obman Rossiter at Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. With this union, Earl also gained two children, Lisa and Randy. The kids were thrilled when Michael was born in 1969, and in 1973, the family was complete with the addition of Ann. Earl instilled in his children a good work ethic, to respect others, treat people fairly and honestly, and a love for animals. Earl and Donna purchased the farm from his parents in 1967. He continued to farm the land until he retired in 2006. The original farm house was moved to the West Okoboji area where they enjoyed living the last 10 years. He continued his hobby of planting many varieties of trees and flowers around the property. Earl was very active in soil conservation, farming, and gardening. He was also passionate about planting trees to create a lasting legacy. Earl was a seed salesman for many years and enjoyed visiting with his customers. He could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Earl was especially proud of his pumpkin patch and was known as the pumpkin man. Autumn was his favorite time of year and he had a pumpkin stand on the side of Hwy. 18 for over 30 years. Earl also enjoyed exhibiting his prize-worthy pumpkins and vegetables in the Clay County Fair. He also loved to grow tomatoes and other vegetables. Earl was also an O’Brien county head soil conservation district commissioner for many years. He was a key proponent in establishing the Prairie Heritage Center in Peterson, Iowa. Earl served as a member on the O’Brien County Board of Health for an extensive period of time. He was active on the O’Brien County Fair Board and a 4-H leader. Earl valued community service and was proud to serve his community and county. Even after he moved to West Okoboji, he became involved in Dickinson county as a soil conservation assistant commissioner and Trees Forever. Earl and Donna enjoyed traveling and had visited all parts of the country. He accompanied Donna on many market buying trips for her gift shop over the last 40 years. He enjoyed visiting his family and spending time with them. He also had a soft spot for his pets; there was always at least one dog on his farm. Earl was particularly fond of the dog breed Rat Terriers. In his later years, at his daughter’s insistence, he discovered that cats could also be loving and comforting pets. Earl was never one to turn down a good piece of pie or miss attending a local church supper. Watching westerns was a favorite pastime of his (especially if it was a John Wayne movie) and playing cards with friends and family. Earl’s life is honored and celebrated by his family, which included his wife of 50 years, Donna and children: Lisa Rossiter of Hugo, Minnesota, Randy Rossiter (Sarah) of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Michael Muilenburg (Karen) of Fishers, Indiana, and Ann Muilenburg of West Okoboji, Iowa; grandchildren: Chelsey Rossiter, Jason (Jamie) Rossiter, Makayla Muilenburg and Jacob Muilenburg; a great-grandchild, Easton Rossiter; and one sister, Betty Gonnerman of Estherville, Iowa. He was beloved Uncle Earl to many nieces and nephews and will also be so missed by his fat, spoiled cat, Henry. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Isaac and Alice; brothers: Glen, Charles, and Em; and sisters: June Hoff and Violet Anderson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lorena Obman and honorary mother-in-law, Helen Rossiter. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Earl’s memory to Trees Forever or the Prairie Heritage Center.