Date of Birth:
Monday, February 20, 1928
Date of Death:
Friday, May 23, 2025
Age:
97 years old

Leo “Ted” Mueller

Leo Theodore (Ted) Mueller of Rochester MN passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025 at the age of 97.

Ted was born in Whitewater Twp, on February 20, 1928, to Leo Matthew and Lucy Elizabeth (Wieser) Mueller; he was the fifth of eleven children. Leaving high school after completing his sophomore year he began working for local farmers, a turkey plant, and when he turned 19, he worked at Goodyear Tire Company for a short period of time. Later he began working in the dish room in St. Mary’s Hospital moving to housekeeping under Sister Nora’s sharp eye. It is here; in 1948 he met his future wife Lucille Elizabeth DuRocher while she was working as a nurse.

He was drafted into the Army for 2 years during the Korean War.  At which time Lucille asked him “If I write to you, will you write back?” To which he replied “Yes, but I am not a good speller or writer.”

They corresponded for the entirety of his 2 years in service.

While serving in Korea he carried an M1 browning, laid lines for telephones between platoons, flame throwing, sharp shooting, and carried the radio.

After returning from being in the service, he and Lucille married at St. Francis Church in Rochester, MN on September 30, 1952.  He then returned to St. Mary’s for 5 years working outside on the grounds gardening, mowing, and shoveling under Sister Domitilla’s supervision.  Finding there that he liked working with his hands and with wood he joined the carpenters program. Pride blossomed from the work in the carpenter’s union for companies such as A.O. Stocky, Krause Anderson, Mortenson, Weiss, Lawrence and Lawrence, Knutson, and Dick Wiley.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, snowmobiling, boating, gardening, apple juice pressing, and woodworking in all its many forms.

Ted and Lucille welcomed a baby boy Gary Craig on February 15, 1956 and a daughter Mary Alice on June 16, 1961. His family was very important to him, and he strived to make sure that they were happy and secure in every way possible.  He was immensely happy with his life and shared that joy with everyone he would meet.

Life was one big adventure, now he is ready to start a new adventure with family and old friends that have gone before him.

Ted is survived by a daughter Mary Alice Talmo and Daughter-in-Law Ruth (Havers) Mueller. Five grandchildren; Kristina (Brett) Cocker, Brittany (Matthew) Aarsvold, Angela (Chad) Wade, Megan Mueller, Nicole (Jamie) Keeler. Ten great-grandchildren Corbin Cocker, Malin Cocker, Hailey Aarsvold, Mason Aarsvold, Mia Wade, Eve Wade, Sawyer Wade, Tucker Keeler, Finley Keeler, and Bennett Keeler.   His sister Clara Burt, Brother Louis (Boots) (Gloria) Mueller, Sisters-in-Law Helen Mueller, Marie Mueller, Brother-in-Law Roland Holm with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Leo Matthew and Lucy Elizabeth Mueller, his wife Lucille of 56 years of marriage and his only son Gary Craig Mueller. Brothers and Sisters: Cletus Mueller, Arthur (Nick) Mueller, George Mueller, Jim Mueller, Sister Bona, Leora Loftus, Betts Lenertz, Edith Holm.  Brothers-in-Law Bernard Loftus, Tom Lenertz, Rodney Burt.  Sisters-in-Law Florance Mueller, Carlene Mueller.

Special thanks to the Mayo Homebound team, Seasons Hospice, and H&A Elite Home Healthcare services.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Cancer Society or your favorite charity in his name.