Owner of Charles City Auto Dealership Loses Battle with Cancer

The owner of a Charles City auto dealership has lost his battle against cancer.

Mike Molstead, who founded Molstead Motors in Charles City in 1995, passed away Monday (09.08) afternoon after fighting cancer for some 25 years.

A post on the Mike Molstead Motors Facebook page reads, “It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of our founder, leader and friend, Mike Molstead. Mike’s life was built on faith, family and a deep love for his community and employees. He touched countless lives with his kindness, love and unwavering dedication to others. On behalf of the Mike Molstead family and our Mike Molstead Motors family, we thank you for your prayers, love and support during this difficult time. We take comfort in knowing Mike’s faith has carried him home, and his legacy will continue through the people and community he cherished so deeply.”

According to MikeMolsteadMotors.com, Molstead started selling cars in 1982 at Friedley Lincoln Mercury in Cedar Falls. At the age of 23, he was named general sales manager at Reed Cadillac Oldsmobile Honda in Waterloo. After seven years at that dealership, Molstead moved to Pat McGrath Chevrolet in Cedar Rapids.

He then went on to found his own dealership in Charles City, with Mike Molstead Motors marking its 30th anniversary earlier this year.

Molstead was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2001 and passed away on Monday.  He was 63.