Edwin "Red" Mueller

In Loving Memory of

Edwin G. “Red” Mueller

Surrounded by his loving family, Edwin G. “Red” Mueller, age 99 (almost), passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at his life-long home in Somers, Wisconsin. Red was born in Racine, WI, on October 30, 1918. He was the son of the late Peter and Mary (nee: McFarland) Mueller. Red was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1937”. He served his country in the US Army from June of 1941 to October of 1945, stationed in the Aleutian Islands and France. After 4-1/2 years of courtship-by-letter, Red was finally able to wed the love of his life, Marcella Thomas, on June 1, 1946 at St. George Catholic Church in Kenosha. They shared seventy wonderful years together before Marcella preceded him in death this past January 11, 2017. He was an active longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church.

This loving marriage produced eleven children: Tom Mueller, Mike (Vernay) Mueller, Mary (Mark) Reinhart, Ellen (Emil) Pfenninger, Bill (Audrey) Mueller, Mark (Barbara) Mueller, Jane Powell, Steve Mueller, Tim (Sally) Mueller, Donna (Ben) Wilson and Beth (John) Schumacher. From the eleven children there are 33 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren (so far).

Red will also be missed by in-laws, Jean Murphy, Ralph Thomas, Leo (Judy) Thomas, Rita (Dick) Christensen, Kathy (Joe) DeCono; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many dear friends. In addition to his parents and his loving wife, he was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, John Abresch, Sam Abresch, Ethel Wayne, Al Mueller, Francis Mueller, Henry Mueller, Fred Mueller and Josephine Karls and numerous in-laws and other relatives.

Red led a full life—husband, father, grand and great-grandfather. Farmer, rail-rider, factory worker, soldier, auto worker, cement finisher, produce producer, gardener, wood merchant, world traveler and story teller extraordinaire.

It’s been said you could listen to Red’s stories for a week straight and never be bored—and never hear the same story twice. His recall of events, names, and details was extraordinary. He loved to tell his stories and he loved a fresh audience. Between his children, grandkids, numerous other relatives, friends and visitors to the farm, there always seemed to be plenty of appreciative listeners.

Next to storytelling, growing things was Red’s great passion. He was a born farmer. For 40 years, as his family grew, Red grew, too. He grew sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, strawberries, raspberries, apples and many other fruits and vegetables. Some was for the family table, some was sold at the family’s roadside stand, and some ended up with the Dominican Sisters of Racine. Many believe he had the best melons, tomatoes and sweet corn in southeastern Wisconsin. When he gave up his 7 acre garden in later years, he concentrated on flowers and the results were breathtaking. His dahlias (the bulbs of which he got from his mother over 70 years ago) were especially beautiful.

Travel was Red’s third passion. From his teenage escapade riding the rails to California during the Depression, to his army travels, to later trips to Europe and all over America with Marcella or his sons or daughters, Red traveled. He loved to see new sights and meet new people. And they enjoyed meeting him. A more interesting, affable, kind-hearted man would be hard to find.

A visitation with relatives and friends will be held Friday, October 27, 2017 from 4 PM to 7 PM and Saturday, October 28 from 9AM to 11:15 AM at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 3100 95th Street in Sturtevant, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM at the Church.

Private interment with Full Military Honors will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Memorials to St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church, Aurora at Home Hospice or HDSA-Wisconsin have been suggested.

A special thank you to the staff from Aurora at Home Hospice, especially Jill, Brianne and Lisa for their loving and compassionate care.