Ralph Muellner

Ralph S. Muellner, age 91 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, January15, 2022 at his home in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 20 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be at the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Ralph Steve Muellner was born December 1, 1930, in Melrose, Minnesota to Raymond and Agnes (Tiemann) Muellner. Eventually his parents moved to Sauk Centre. On October 10, 1955, he married Regine Schieffer at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Ralph worked for numerous farmers including a large farm in Breckenridge, Minnesota. He moved back to Sauk Centre where he had several jobs before going to work for Litchfield Produce which later became Jennie-O-Foods in 1958. After working there for 30 years, he worked for Bueckers Sanitation for 25 years before retiring and continued to help out when needed.

Ralph always talked about traveling in his younger years when he retired. He made that dream a reality with multiple trips in his camper visiting many states and living in it for three months in Arizona and Texas during the winter. Ralph was able to fix anything. He collected things that would one day be pieced together to make something useful. He spent many hours taking things apart and putzing around in his garage. He also enjoyed playing cards and dancing.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Melrose Seniors, Young at Heart Club, and the Winnebago Club.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Regine Muellner of Melrose; children, Debra (Bob) Kaliszewski of South St. Paul, Dennis (Dianne) Muellner of Sauk Centre, Dale (Diane) Muellner of Sauk Centre, Dean (Mary) Muellner of Inver Grove Heights, and Darrell (Julie) Muellner of Sauk Centre; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sister, Mary Zinniel of St. Cloud; and brother, Alquin (Sally) Muellner of St. Joseph.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Agnes Muellner;  brother and sister-in-law, Elmer and Bernadine Muellner; and brother-in-law, Edward Zinniel.

Serving as casket bearers will be Adam, Eric, Ray, and Steven Muellner, Mike Botz, and Don Hieserich. Cross bearer will be Nicole Ainali and scripture bearer will be Tiffany Muellner. Readers will be Cori Ainali and Tiffany Muellner. Gift bearers will be Louise Hieserich and Mary Zinniel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre or charity of choice.