Phyllis Muhlbauer

Phyllis Frances Muhlbauer, daughter of Henry and Pauline (Sextro) Kerkhoff, was born on October 24, 1927, near Templeton, in Carroll County Iowa. She attended country school for two years before continuing grade school at Sacred Heart School in Templeton. She graduated from St. Angela Academy in Carroll in 1946.

Following graduation, Phyllis moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a typist at Boys Town and later as a secretary at Mutual Insurance Company. Over the years, she also worked as a nanny for Dr. Paul Anneberg in Carroll, at The National Tea Company and Collegiate Manufacturing Company in Ames and served as a clerk at the State Capitol in Des Moines from 1983 to 1993 for her husband, State Representative, Louis J. Muhlbauer.

On June 12, 1950, Phyllis was united in marriage with Louis J. Muhlbauer at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton by Rev. H. Schultes. Nine children were born to this union.

Her Catholic faith was central to her life. Phyllis was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla, where she taught first-grade CCD from 1969 to 1982. She was active in the Altar and Rosary Society, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (serving as Legislation Commission member and Secretary), and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Catherine Court #266 in Earling. In January 2000, she joined Our Lady of Fatima Court #1492 in Manning, where she also served on the Legislative Commission. She was a member of Sacred Heart Quilters, Legion of Mary in Denison, Sacred Heart Choir, the Manilla Chamber of Commerce, Manilla Area Historical Association (serving as Vice President and Historian), Polka Club of Iowa, Helping Hand Club, Aspinwall Ladies Auxiliary, Crawford County Democratic Party, Red Hat Honeys (Queen Mother), and the Manilla Bridge Club.

Phyllis loved her family and cherished time spent traveling, playing cards, and sewing. She traveled to Lourdes, France; Germany; Austria; Cape Cod; and Hawaii and attended an audience with the Pope in Italy. She also enjoyed several cruises.

Phyllis died on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Gracewell Nursing Home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 98 years, 3 months and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louis J. Muhlbauer (1997); son, Daniel W. Muhlbauer (2020); grandson, Samuel L. Muhlbauer (1989); great-grandson, Jed Riesselman (2021); great-granddaughter, Cordelia Baker (2025); brothers, Floyd (Sally) Kerkhoff, Robert (Evelyn) Kerkhoff, and Earl (Betty) Kerkhoff; and her son-in-law, Russell Baker.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Daryl (Lisa) Muhlbauer of Panora; Barbara Baker of Greenfield; Joyce (Garry) Price of Mifflintown, PA; Donna (Tom) Rohe of LeMars; Gary (Tammy) Muhlbauer of Manilla; Jeffrey (Maria) Muhlbauer of Manilla; Michael (Theresa) Muhlbauer of Griswold; Tom (Beth) Muhlbauer of Manilla; and daughter-in-law Patti Muhlbauer of Manilla; 42 grandchildren, 116 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m., followed by visitation with the family from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., all on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manilla. Private family burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Manilla.

In lieu of thank yous, the family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the prayers, kindness, and thoughtfulness shown during this time.