Mick Landers

Michael Joseph Landers, the son of Michael Eugene and Linda Catherine (Ripperger) Landers, was born in Des Moines, Iowa on September 3, 1965. The family moved from the Des Moines area, when Mick was a young boy, and he was educated in the East Union Public Schools. Mick graduated from East Union High School with the Class of 1983. After graduation, Mick attended college at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado and then at Southwestern Community College in Creston. Mick’s college education earned him an Associate of Arts Degree in the field of Fire Science in 1997.
Mick began his career as a Fireman while serving as a volunteer for the Afton Fire Department from 1984 -1988. During this time, he also worked for the City of Afton. On October 9, 1988 Mick married Robin Claiser in Afton. Together, the couple was blessed with three children: Amber, Jessica and Ben. Robin and Mick divorced in 1997 after eight years of marriage. Mick worked a short time for the City of Winterset and also served as a Volunteer Fireman on the Winterset Fire Department from February 1992 - October 1992. In late 1992, Mick started working as a full-time, career Firefighter in Fort Dodge, IA, serving one year. He was hired in 1993 by the Creston Fire Department and was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2000. In addition to his duties in Creston, Mick also worked part-time for the Fire Department in West Des Moines until 2012. On May 25, 2013, Mick married Linda Kilgore in Creston. Linda was a devoted wife, best friend and caregiver to Mick, always by his side during his illness and declining health.
Faith was very important to Mick. He was an active member of Crest Baptist Church where he previously served on the Property Committee and was part of the Cancer Support Ministry. He was also involved at Crestmoor Golf Club by serving on the Board of Directors. Mick was involved in many Firefighting Organizations including: the Iowa Firefighters Association; served as President of the Union County EMS Association; Mick was a Certified Firefighter II, Officer I, Inspector I, Instructor I and an EMT-B. He was also trained as a Hazardous Materials Technician. Mick was a loving husband, wonderful father and friend to many. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Preceding Mick in death were his maternal and paternal grandparents: Giles and Mildred Ripperger and Jack and Mardena Landers; and his step grandfather, Dallas Glazebrook.
Left behind to cherish Mick’s memory is his wife, Linda Landers of Creston; his three children: Amber Landers of Kansas City, MO, Jessica Landers of Des Moines, IA and Ben Landers of Portland, OR; step children: Erin (Eric) Millslagle of Cromwell, IA, Reid (Denise) Bierle of Mason City, IA and 10 step grandchildren: Max and Morgan Kilgore, Myah Lanteri, Gunnar, Gavin and Aiden Millslagle, Taylor, Carter, Rylan and Langden Bierle; Mick is also survived by his parents: Michael and Linda Landers of Afton, IA and his mother-in-law, LaVern Strickland of Stanton, IA; by his three brothers: Allan (Toni) Landers of Afton, IA, Bryan (Lynda) Landers of Savannah, MO and Jack (Leslie) Landers of Baltimore, MD; his brother-in-law, Lyle (Julie) Strickland of Stanton, IA; and by his nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.