Donald Mueller

Donald Albert Mueller, age 77, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2017 in Fairmont, Minnesota. A Funeral Service for Donald will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, MN with Rev. Jeanette Bidne presiding. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place on a later date at Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth, MN. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.Donald was born December 1, 1939 to Albert Jacob and Mary Ada (Moser) Mueller in Berkeley, California. He was their oldest child and only son, and was raised with four sisters. The family lived on the west coast early on, even spending several years in Seattle, Washington as Donald''s father worked at Boeing during World War II. Donald''s parents eventually moved their family to South Dakota where his father started farming. His father farmed for over a decade near Harrold, SD but eventually worked as a welder on Oahe Dam above Pierre, SD. Donald graduated from Theodore F. Riggs High School in Pierre, SD on May 28, 1959. After graduation, Donald began his life as an auto mechanic in Pierre and shortly thereafter met a young lady, Shirley Mae Strid, at a local caf in Pierre. Donald and Shirley were united in marriage on October 27, 1963 in Tucson, Arizona. The young couple lived in numerous places before moving back to South Dakota. Eventually, Donald decided to trade in his motorcycle for a boy. Michael was born in 1965 in Parkston, SD. Parenthood must have been better than the motorcycle as Pamela was born exactly 14 months later in Yankton, SD. During this time, Donald continued his work as an auto mechanic. In 1972, Donald and Shirley, and their two young children, moved to Blue Earth, MN as Donald started working as an auto mechanic in Blue Earth. Several years later, Donald became a boiler operator at the Blue Earth Hospital. It was also around this time Donald became heavily involved with Amsoil as a dealer. Years later, he had his own auto repair business. Eventually diabetes had taken a toll on Donald, and he became legally blind in 1997. Donald''s diagnosis at age 11 began his life long struggle with the disease. Health issues then kept Donald out of the workforce, however, it provided him with plenty of time to remain physically active and strong. Donald did not let diabetes or blindness stop him. Rather, Donald was still tinkering with his love for auto repair, mowing lawns, and snow blowing for people in Blue Earth. Throughout his life, many letters were written by Donald to his family. His handwriting was beautiful. Donald loved and cherished his family. As an example, he called and wrote letters nearly every day to his parents to stay in touch. Donald''s mother passed away in 1992 at the age of 75 and his father passed away in 2014 at the age of 101. In December of 2011, Donald entered the Trimont Health Care Center in Trimont, MN and only recently was he relocated to Lakeview Methodist Healthcare Center in Fairmont, MN. Donald was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Donald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; children, Michael of North Mankato and Pamela (Scott) Kurz of Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren, Jeremy and Nathan Kurz; sisters, Lois Mueller of Moses Lake, WA, Margie Mueller of Parker, SD, Luella Mueller, of Los Angeles, CA, and Marilyn (Delmar) Titze of Sioux Falls, SD and many other loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Ada (Moser) Mueller and Albert Jacob Mueller. Donald''s Memorial Folder