Ruth M. Mueller, 79 of Monroe, passed away, Sunday, August 7, 2016 in her home, surrounded by her family after battling Alzheimer's disease for many years. She was born January 23, 1937 in Darlington to Louis and Edna (Alm) Larson of rural Argyle. She was confirmed at Apple Grove Lutheran Church where she was the organist for many years and was an accomplished musician.
Ruth attended Reed School and graduated from Argyle High School in 1955. After high school she attended Luther College in Iowa for one year until returning to Argyle to help on the family farm.
She married Phillip A. Mueller in May of 1959 at Apple Grove Lutheran Church.
Ruth worked many jobs in her life including McLellan's, Swiss Colony, and One Hour Martinizing. But the most important job she had was being a great wife, mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Family was so important to her, and she cherished holidays, reunions, and picnics. Her faith in God and being an active member of Grace Lutheran Church was also important. She spent years with her "Circle Ladies" serving on various fundraising committees, president of the Women's Group, and attended annual conventions. Ruth's other passion was her Norwegian heritage. She was a charter member of The Sons of Norway Ostestaden Lodge of Monroe and visited Norway twice. She was exceptional in the kitchen and was a skilled lefse maker, which led to the nickname of "Ruth the Lefse Lady". It was so important for her to show others how to make lefse and pass on the tradition to future generations. Ruth was also a past member of the Monroe Moose Lodge, had a passion for playing and teaching piano, bowling, sewing, jigsaw and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by a son, Kurt Mueller of Monroe, daughters, Karla (Randy) Rule of Dakota, IL and Kari (Mike) Gray of Monroe. Grandchildren: Denise Tree of Freeport, IL., Derek Tree (Tina McAllister) of Darlington and Cody Rule of Dakota, IL; great-grandchildren: Gavin Tree and Ella Harty of Freeport, and Gabriel Tree of Gratiot; step-grandchildren, Joshawa Gray and Jacob Gray; 1 brother, David (Sue) Larson of Port Washington, WI; sisters, Dorothy McNett of Monroe and Joanne Gouge of Argyle; 19 nieces and nephews and several generations of great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Edna Larson; brother, Raymond Larson; sister, Elaine Larson; her husband, Phillip A. Mueller, 1 great-grandchild, Jaxson Tree, brothers-in-law, Robert Mueller, Marion Mueller and sister-in-law, Cleo Rufi.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12th at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH with Rev. John Tabaka officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11th from 4 - 7 at the SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME in Monroe. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Ruth attended Reed School and graduated from Argyle High School in 1955. After high school she attended Luther College in Iowa for one year until returning to Argyle to help on the family farm.
She married Phillip A. Mueller in May of 1959 at Apple Grove Lutheran Church.
Ruth worked many jobs in her life including McLellan's, Swiss Colony, and One Hour Martinizing. But the most important job she had was being a great wife, mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Family was so important to her, and she cherished holidays, reunions, and picnics. Her faith in God and being an active member of Grace Lutheran Church was also important. She spent years with her "Circle Ladies" serving on various fundraising committees, president of the Women's Group, and attended annual conventions. Ruth's other passion was her Norwegian heritage. She was a charter member of The Sons of Norway Ostestaden Lodge of Monroe and visited Norway twice. She was exceptional in the kitchen and was a skilled lefse maker, which led to the nickname of "Ruth the Lefse Lady". It was so important for her to show others how to make lefse and pass on the tradition to future generations. Ruth was also a past member of the Monroe Moose Lodge, had a passion for playing and teaching piano, bowling, sewing, jigsaw and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by a son, Kurt Mueller of Monroe, daughters, Karla (Randy) Rule of Dakota, IL and Kari (Mike) Gray of Monroe. Grandchildren: Denise Tree of Freeport, IL., Derek Tree (Tina McAllister) of Darlington and Cody Rule of Dakota, IL; great-grandchildren: Gavin Tree and Ella Harty of Freeport, and Gabriel Tree of Gratiot; step-grandchildren, Joshawa Gray and Jacob Gray; 1 brother, David (Sue) Larson of Port Washington, WI; sisters, Dorothy McNett of Monroe and Joanne Gouge of Argyle; 19 nieces and nephews and several generations of great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Edna Larson; brother, Raymond Larson; sister, Elaine Larson; her husband, Phillip A. Mueller, 1 great-grandchild, Jaxson Tree, brothers-in-law, Robert Mueller, Marion Mueller and sister-in-law, Cleo Rufi.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12th at GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH with Rev. John Tabaka officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11th from 4 - 7 at the SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME in Monroe. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.