Richard A. Tolander

Richard A. Tolander, 93, of Ankeny, IA, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully on his birthday, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. He was born in Wayne Township, Henry County IA, born to Eugene A. and Mable M. (Trowbridge) on July 12, 1929. Richard attended Olds Consolidated School until 1942 and graduated from Yarmouth High school in 1947.

In 1948 Richard joined the army and served in the occupation of Japan and the Korean War. He was awarded a Japan Occupation medal. During the Korean War, he was awarded a Korean Service Medal, 2 campaign ribbons and 5 Bronze Stars. Richard was honorably discharged in 1952.

On May 29, 1954, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Joyce Wolin at the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Pleasant by the Rev. Dr. James Marlin.  They celebrated 62 years together until her passing on October 7, 2016. Together they built their family with three sons; David (Annette) of Waterloo, Iowa, Duane (Diane) of Ankeny, Iowa, and Ralph (Deb) of Sugarland, Texas.

Richard worked at the elevator in Olds, IA before owning and operating a corn sheller and grain truck business for several years. After selling the trucks, he delivered fuel for the COOP in Mt. Pleasant where he retired at age 62. He worked part-time driving a school bus, provided maintenance at the apartment building where they lived and worked as a funeral associate at Kimzey Funeral Home during his retirement.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and ten siblings.

Other survivors include 7 grandchildren; Abbey (Chad) Maxwell, Stephanie (Grant) Zielinski, Adam (Veronica) Tolander, Kristina (Trent) Wellman, Austin (Anna) Tolander, Preston Tolander and Jared Tolander; 1 step grandson, Nick (Melissa) Strauss, 10 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, two sisters; Martha Murphy of Las Vegas, Nevada and Florence Cambridge of Kalona, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He considered everyone a friend and never judged anyone. He was loved by all.

We want to give special thanks and appreciation to his friends at the Penelope Apartments where he lived in Ankeny and to the Central Iowa VA Hospital and their doctors and nurses for the exceptional care they provided.

            A memorial funeral service for Richard will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, with military honors conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail and the Henry County Honor Guard. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8PM on Thursday, July 28 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on that Thursday. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Relay for Life of Henry County or to VA Central Iowa Health Care System. Family members can deliver any memorials.

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