Date of Birth:
Saturday, July 6, 1929
Date of Death:
Monday, May 16, 2022
Age:
92 years old

Marion J. Mueller

Marion Mueller, 92, of Rochester, MN (formerly of Winona, MN) was called to heaven on May 16, 2022.  Marion was born July 6, 1929 in Albert Lea, MN to Johan and Edna (Jensen) Colstrup.  Growing up on a farm, she attended the Murtaugh one room elementary school and graduated with honors from Albert Lea High School in 1947.   Latin was her favorite subject. Her cursive penmanship was artistic.

As a first-generation Danish-American, Marion was fiercely proud of her Danish ancestry and its traditions.  Like her father, she was a “Happy Dane”, comfortable talking about gnomes (not elves!), the ancestral farm in North Jutland and Denmark’s place in history.  Her collection of Danish plates and gnomes was extensive.

As a Depression-era child, Marion witnessed the compassion that her parents shared with others less fortunate and experienced the joys and hardships of farm life with her sisters.  She was blessed with having warm loving parents who gave her life skills.

She obtained a degree in Education from Winona State Teachers College where she met the love of her life – a Navy WW2 veteran and college athlete – Everett Walter Mueller.   She married Everett on June 9, 1950 and spent the first week of 68 years together with him in Chicago watching baseball.  Upon graduation, she taught second grade in St. Charles, MN through 1952, commuting the winding bluff roads from Winona daily.

In 1952, she changed careers and become a full-time mother.   This journey took the couple throughout southern Minnesota – returning back to Winona in 1967.    Marion focused on mothering her six children, supporting Everett’s school administration career, and serving her communities.    Her presence was felt in the audience as she attended the sporting and academic events of her children.  A “Summer in NYC” with her family was memorable as were trips to Branson and Denmark.  “Empty nesting” led her to a third career as a retail merchandise buyer in Winona.

Marion was a woman of tremendous faith. She led and participated in Bible Studies and fellowship service her entire life.  She brought the characters of the Bible to life for her family and friends.  Her conversational signoff was “I love you”.

Marion was an active member of several organizations in the Winona Area including Habitat-for-Humanity, Sauer Memorial Home, Winona Hospital, and the Winona Historical Society.    She was an avid reader of all things Grisham and Michener; and enjoyed chronicling the family history albums in her “Just a Country Girl” and “Together Forever” writings.   She was a long-term cancer survivor.  Her Luverne, MN home is on the National Registry of Historical Places.

Marion and Everett enjoyed the company of a vast number of friends and family in retirement.   They had a deep love for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.    They visited their children often – spanning the entire continent – travels that included journeys to all Major League Baseball stadiums.

Marion and Everett’s marriage was blessed with six children; sons Gary (Suzanne), John (Susan Sabo), Randy (Linda), Charles (Gail), Paul (Nancy); daughter Marybeth Gardner (John); eighteen grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her devoted husband Everett, her daughter Marybeth Gardner, and sisters Jean Furhman and Lois Hamson.

Memorials are preferred to Redeemer Lutheran Church and Habitat-for-Humanity.  The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the medical and care staff of the Homestead Rochester and Mayo Clinic for the exceptional care shown to Marion.

The funeral for Marion Mueller will held on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 4:00pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN, preceded by a visitation starting at 3:00pm at the church.   Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 2:00pm.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com