Philip 'Phil' L. Grabenbauer

Philip Louis Grabenbauer, 85, Village Cooperative, Marshalltown, died peacefully Saturday, July 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, with his family by his side. Cause of death was complications of Pneumonia. Funeral Mass for Phil will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016, at St. Henrys Catholic Church with Father Don Czapla officiating. Public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. memorial service, on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Mitchell Family Funeral Home where Phils family will be present to greet friends. Memorial contributions may be directed in Phils name to his family who will later designate them to Esperanca- (Bringing Hope-Providing Health-Transforming Communities for the poor of the world). For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Phil and his family. Philip Louis Grabenbauer was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on December 22, 1930, son of Harry and Lucille (Wobeter) Grabenbauer. He graduated from St. Marys High School in 1949. Following High School, in 1950, Phil enlisted in United States Navy serving four years in Guam and Japan. He was united in marriage to Alice Whaley on October 12, 1957, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Phil and Alice were blessed with two children: Thomas Grabenbauer (Charleston, SC) and Susan Rix, (Marshalltown). Phil retired in 1986 from Fisher Controls after working their 34 years. He formerly lived in Mesa, AZ, for seven years before returning to Marshalltown in 2010. Phil was a superb craftsman being able to fix or make anything. He was a lover of nature with a natural knowledge of its many secrets. Phil is survived by his wife Alice; children: Tom Grabenbauer and Susan Rix; granddaughter: Noel Rix; sister: Elizabeth Welsh; nephews: Dr. Michael Welsch, David Welsh, Patrick Welsh and Pastor Chad Whaley; niece Mary Clover; Brother-in-law: David (Linda) Whaley. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law: Virginia Grabenbauer and nephew: Brian whaley.