Jon P. Mahlstadt

Jon P. Mahlstadt, 81, of Indianola, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2014. Jon was born January 2, 1933 in Mason City, IA. He graduated from Indianola High School, served in the Armed Forces and attended Simpson College and Iowa State University. After retiring from the Indianola Post Office, Jon enjoyed working at Peterson's Funeral Home and going to coffee with his friends.
Jon is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy; children, Chris (Michelle) Mahlstadt, Jennifer (Larry) Davey, 6 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 10:00 followed by the funer al service at 11:00 at Peterson's Funeral Home in Indianola.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westview Care Center for the excellent care provided to Jon during his stay there.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 165.

Jon P. Mahlstadt, 81, of Indianola, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2014. Jon was born January 2, 1933 in Mason City, IA. He graduated from Indianola High School, served in the Armed Forces and attended Simpson College and Iowa State University. After retiring from the Indianola Post Office, Jon enjoyed working at Peterson's Funeral Home and going to coffee with his friends. Jon is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy; children, Chris (Michelle) Mahlstadt, Jennifer (Larry) Davey, 6 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Jon was a family man. The love he had for his wife Kathy and two children, Chris and Jennifer, was later shared with a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, 6 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren . Jon had a vocabulary of his own. Words like ticky tiky, tuta-tuta-ta, octaliba hofmier and Hallehulahoops to name a few. The grand kids were not called by birth names rather nick name created by grandpa. The boys were known as Roo, Tut, Wag and Kip. The girls, Colie and Thuth. Jon viewed his priorities as God, family, friends and everything else. No one came and left their home until he had answers to; how are the kids, how is school, how is work going or how are your parents? Jon loved to cook and the family reaped the benefits. For birthdays Jon would cook their favorite meal. For some it was BBQ ribs, or maybe Shepherd pie, or his famous hamballs or chili. A cook book was not necessary. Jon new exactly the right ingredients to make a meal fit for a king. Many of his best recipes were made by adding a little of this and a little of that until he felt it was just right. Running out of food was never a concern because Jon would cook as if he were cooking for an Army. Before opening presents on Christmas day the Mahlstadt tradition was to gather around and read the Christmas story. Jon would pick up his bible, always found sitting next to his chair, and open it to the book of Matthew. As he read the Christmas story everyone listened intently. Tears would well up in his eyes as he read about the birth of Jesus. One Christmas morning, while reading this scripture, Jon became so choked up he had to pass the bible to Kathy. Kathy started where Jon left off, only to read a verse or two and pass it to the next family member as she too couldn't see the writing on the page due to tearing eyes. The story was finally read after passing the bible to four family members. Jon's mission in life was to lead as many people to the lord as he could. Jon had bulldog faith. He would sink his teeth into the word and except nothing less than a complete answer to prayer. Jon had a little bell that he took with him when ministering. It was what he called, the "Dinner Bell of Healing". He would ring the bell when it was time for people to come forward and receive their healing. His faith never wavered when praying for someone needing a miracle. Sometimes the answer was slow to come but Jon never gave up. He was notorious for calling later to see if their miracle arrived. Jon was never intimidated to share the gospel of Christ and get people "Saved". I believe we are safe to say, everyone who knew Jon heard about Jesus at one time or another. Jon had a great group of close friends. He talked about them often and shared stories about the days when they played football together in high school. Like women, they had their scheduled coffee and lunch dates. Disappointment set in when Jon's health started to decline. His physical condition made it much more difficult to leave the house. It was during those times when his buddies would pull up the drive, help him out to their car, and drive him to coffee. True friends through the good times and bad. Last week it was evident Jon wasn't going to be coming home anytime soon. His physical condition had deteriorated to the point he was too weak to get in the house. Following this realization, Jon told Chris and Jennifer, "if I'm going to finish out my days in a nursing home, I want the Lord to take me home now". Six days later God answered his prayer. He is now living in a home not made by human hands. The scripture comes to mind, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"! Jon and Kathy raised their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to do the same. Jon's legacy will live on!