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LTC Michael John “Mike” Musel

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LTC Michael John “Mike” Musel Veteran

Birth
Belle Plaine, Benton County, Iowa, USA
Death
12 Apr 2020 (aged 74)
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial
Chelsea, Tama County, Iowa, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael John Musel, 74, of Urbandale, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.

Mike was born on October 22, 1945, the son of Bernard and Arlene (Rebik) Musel in Belle Plaine, Iowa. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1963 and attended Iowa State University for two years where he was in the US Army ROTC program. He then enlisted in the US Army and received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Officer Candidate School, serving 18 months in Vietnam as an Engineer Officer.

After his tour of duty, he returned home, working with his father on the family farm outside Chelsea, Iowa, before taking over the farm and raising his two sons. In 1979, Mike left farming and took a job with the Farm Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Spencer, Iowa. In 1980, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard as a Captain commanding Alpha Battery, 194th Field Artillery Battalion. He also served in the 185th Training Regiment, Joint Forces Headquarters, and the State Area Command as a Mobilization Officer.

He retired from the National Guard after 25 years of service. After retiring from the USDA in 2005, Mike followed his true passion and became a historian at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum until his death.

Mike was a voracious reader, an accomplished military historian, and played the accordion, fiddle, and piano. He was a proud and active member of the 34th Infantry Division Association where he served as treasurer for the past 15 years.

He is survived by his sons, Nicholas (Katie York) Musel of Springfield, Virginia, and Alex (Justina) Musel of Platte City, Missouri; grandchildren; and siblings, Ann (Larry) Shilhanek of Strawberry Point, Iowa, Carol (Rick) Petersen, Belle Plaine, Iowa, Doug (Rose) Musel of Vinton, Iowa, Phylis (Dennis) Kurriger of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Mary (Jeff) Hunzinger of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Jane (Charles) Gustafson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and David (Mike Fortunato) Musel of Washington, D.C.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Chelsea, Iowa, with military honors. Memorial service at Camp Dodge.

Source:Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Home, Belle Plaine, Iowa ~ Added by Mary Hammill Rund
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael John Musel, 74, of Urbandale, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.

Mike was born on October 22, 1945, the son of Bernard and Arlene (Rebik) Musel in Belle Plaine, Iowa. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1963 and attended Iowa State University for two years where he was in the US Army ROTC program. He then enlisted in the US Army and received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Officer Candidate School, serving 18 months in Vietnam as an Engineer Officer.

After his tour of duty, he returned home, working with his father on the family farm outside Chelsea, Iowa, before taking over the farm and raising his two sons. In 1979, Mike left farming and took a job with the Farm Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Spencer, Iowa. In 1980, he joined the Iowa Army National Guard as a Captain commanding Alpha Battery, 194th Field Artillery Battalion. He also served in the 185th Training Regiment, Joint Forces Headquarters, and the State Area Command as a Mobilization Officer.

He retired from the National Guard after 25 years of service. After retiring from the USDA in 2005, Mike followed his true passion and became a historian at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum until his death.

Mike was a voracious reader, an accomplished military historian, and played the accordion, fiddle, and piano. He was a proud and active member of the 34th Infantry Division Association where he served as treasurer for the past 15 years.

He is survived by his sons, Nicholas (Katie York) Musel of Springfield, Virginia, and Alex (Justina) Musel of Platte City, Missouri; grandchildren; and siblings, Ann (Larry) Shilhanek of Strawberry Point, Iowa, Carol (Rick) Petersen, Belle Plaine, Iowa, Doug (Rose) Musel of Vinton, Iowa, Phylis (Dennis) Kurriger of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Mary (Jeff) Hunzinger of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Jane (Charles) Gustafson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and David (Mike Fortunato) Musel of Washington, D.C.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Chelsea, Iowa, with military honors. Memorial service at Camp Dodge.

Source:Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Home, Belle Plaine, Iowa ~ Added by Mary Hammill Rund


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