Lawrence Mueller

Lawrence H. Mueller, age 88 of Melrose, died Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ken Thielman officiating and Rev. Marvin Enneking concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Lawrence H. Mueller was born April 26, 1923 in Melrose, Minnesota to Henry and Anna (Kettler) Mueller. On October 11, 1949 he married Mildred "Millie" Ramler at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. The couple farmed north of Melrose for over 40 years until building their home in Melrose in 1983. Lawrence was affectionately known as the "engineer" on the farm. For many years after moving to Melrose, Lawrence continued to help on the farm by driving tractor.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council. He also was a former chairman of the March of Dimes in Stearns County and served on the Advisory Committee for the Farm Bureau. Lawrence loved spending time at the cabin on Big Birch Lake, playing cards, bowling, and looking at farm equipment. He also enjoyed visiting his son in Sonoma County, California to watch the grape farming practices and to sample the harvest.

Survivors include his wife, Millie Mueller of Melrose; children, Jerry Mueller of Eagan, Marv (Wanda) Mueller of Healdsburg, California, Bonnie (Rick) Funk of Sauk Rapids, Bob (Theresa) Mueller of Melrose, Duane Mueller of St. Cloud, Karen (John) Ellering of Falcon Heights, Lois Mueller of St. Cloud, and Jan (Kurt) Wolter of Ham Lake; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Agnes Hinnenkamp of Melrose, Della (Herb) Thelen of Melrose, Edward (Katherine "Kitty") Mueller of Melrose, and Irene Shay of Albany.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; twin sister, Loretta Frieler on September 25, 2011; sister, Mary Mueller; and brother, Joe Mueller.

Serving as casket bearers will be Nick Ellering, Jake Ellering, Ryan Funk, Richie Kucinski, Randy Hunt, and Amy Funk. Cross bearer will be Sarah Wolter and scripture bearer will be Chelsey Ellering.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.