Michael James Pelzer, the son of Eldon and Mary Pelzer, was born December 13, 1954, in Council Bluffs, IA. He died December 12, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Villisca, IA, at the age of 67 years, 11 months, and 30 days.
Mike was an outstanding athlete at Griswold High School, where he graduated in 1973. After graduating, he attended Northwest Missouri State University for one year. Mike then worked at Fullerton Lumber yard until it closed. He then worked for Midway Distributions, a wholesale lumber company, until it closed. On August 5, 1983, Mike married Sherry Rabe. He began farming on a small acreage outside of Griswold, while also working at Larry Hackett Construction. In July of 1986, Mike and Sherry had their son Matthew. In September of 1988, they had their daughter Michelle.
For several years, Mike owned his own custom woodworking business in Griswold, called Pelzer Woodworking. Mike later began working at Lycos, Inc., where he worked for 17 years, until he retired in January of 2021.
Mike was active in several sports in high school and later enjoyed coaching his children in basketball, baseball, and softball for several years. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on his Camaros, golfing with friends, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs. He also took many vacations with his wife Sherry, traveling all over the Midwest.
Mike was preceded in death by his father; his brothers-in-law, Carl Nielson, Kelly Curtis, and Kevin Anderson; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Maurice and Mary Rabe; and a brother and sister in infancy.
He is survived by his wife Sherry Pelzer of Griswold, IA; his son Matthew Pelzer of Audubon, IA; his daughter Michelle Spunaugle and husband Jared of Villisca, IA; mother Mary Pelzer; brothers Doug Pelzer and Mark Pelzer and wife Ellen; sister June Karr and husband Brian; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Jan Gaines; sisters-in-law Janet Nielsen and Diane Curtis; aunt Betty Lantz; and uncle Dennis Pelzer and wife Jane; and many cousins and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2022, from 2-4 PM, at the Griswold Community Building. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Mike’s name. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
