Thomas Mannebach

Thomas H Mannebach Jr, 74, returned to God's loving arms August 3rd, 2016 at home, surrounded by the love of his family. Tom was a gift to the world when he was born at home in Escanaba, Michigan, on Christmas Day on December 25th, 1941 to parents Thomas Mannebach Sr. and Ethel (Kaufman) Mannebach.

Tom married Marlaine Lemerand on May 17th 1969, and they renewed their vows on May 17th 2012 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale.

Tom's work ethic became known when he was working four jobs at the same time. He worked as a cook at the Dells supper club while also working at the Flots Family Farm, delivering pizza for Marco's, and driving a semi-truck for the U.S. Mail until it all caught up with him when, exhausted, he split his truck in half like a peeled banana on a row of pine trees all the way to the back doors of the trailer, stopping on the 13th tree. With Christmas presents all over the highway, he decided to shift gears. He landed a position laying railroad track, then climbed into a new position switching cars as a track operator and brake man. He left Northwestern to become a machinist, painter and welder of heavy construction equipment at P&H Harnischfeger for several years until the plant closed. He then used his talents building and painting ships before moving to Irving, Texas and working at DARR Equipment, where he quickly became the head painter. After 10 years, Tom moved to Des Moines, Iowa and worked for Ziegler until his retirement. Again the head painter, Tom was asked to do special projects like painting the company race car.

Tom was a lifelong die-hard Detroit Lions football fan, with Barry Sanders as his favorite player. Tom also loved camping, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, bowling, playing pool, and barefoot water skiing without getting his jeans wet. He also earned many trophies for shooting trap and skeet.

Tom was widely known as a hero. Strangers have been known to tell the family how much of a hero he is, even though he always tried to avoid any thank you or rewards for his acts of bravery and kindness. He has saved many lives including co-workers, family members, and strangers.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors included: his wife Marlaine (Lemerand) Mannebach, 3 sons, Todd (wife Rachel), Phillip and Bradley (wife Malisa), 2 daughters Sherry Mannebach and Ronda (Mannebach) Emrick (husband Steve), 2 sisters Marilyn Nardi, and Judy DeGrand (husband Jim), and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Thursday, August 11th, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, where he was a proud member. A reception will follow afterwards at the church:

Central Presbyterian Church
3829 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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