Donald F. Mueller
March 21, 1927 — June 26, 2013
Donald F. Mueller, 86, went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2013. He passed away at home under Hospice Care in Las Cruces, New Mexico . Don was born March 21, 1927 in Norwood, Minnesota to Annie and Rev. Ernst Mueller. As a child he spent a lot of time with his family, visiting his grandparent's farm and vacationing at the lake in Minnesota. He was active in athletics from a very yo...
Donald F. Mueller, 86, went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2013. He passed away at home under Hospice Care in Las Cruces, New Mexico . Don was born March 21, 1927 in Norwood, Minnesota to Annie and Rev. Ernst Mueller. As a child he spent a lot of time with his family, visiting his grandparent's farm and vacationing at the lake in Minnesota. He was active in athletics from a very young age and this dominated his formative years. He spent his high school years in New Salem, North Dakota, where most of his activities revolved around sports. He was most proud of his basketball team and their accomplishments. Don went on to serve in the United States Navy Hospital Corp from 1945-1952, receiving the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Don devoted his professional life to education beginning in Dickenson, North Dakota. He brought his family to Rapid City, SD in 1959 taking a position with the Douglas School System. For the next 29 years he held various administrative positions becoming the third superintendent of the Douglas School District in 1973. Dr. Mueller restored funding stability to the district and fought constantly to maintain this funding. Don received his Doctorate in Education in 1975 from the University of South Dakota. He chose to retire in 1988 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 1993 the Douglas High School Auditorium was dedicated in his name. In 1989 Don married Linda Gingrich. In retirement he became an avid fan of New Mexico State...
Donald F. Mueller, 86, went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2013. He passed away at home under Hospice Care in Las Cruces, New Mexico . Don was born March 21, 1927 in Norwood, Minnesota to Annie and Rev. Ernst Mueller. As a child he spent a lot of time with his family, visiting his grandparent's farm and vacationing at the lake in Minnesota. He was active in athletics from a very young age and this dominated his formative years. He spent his high school years in New Salem, North Dakota, where most of his activities revolved around sports. He was most proud of his basketball team and their accomplishments. Don went on to serve in the United States Navy Hospital Corp from 1945-1952, receiving the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Don devoted his professional life to education beginning in Dickenson, North Dakota. He brought his family to Rapid City, SD in 1959 taking a position with the Douglas School System. For the next 29 years he held various administrative positions becoming the third superintendent of the Douglas School District in 1973. Dr. Mueller restored funding stability to the district and fought constantly to maintain this funding. Don received his Doctorate in Education in 1975 from the University of South Dakota. He chose to retire in 1988 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 1993 the Douglas High School Auditorium was dedicated in his name. In 1989 Don married Linda Gingrich. In retirement he became an avid fan of New Mexico State University athletics following many sports but especially the Aggies basketball team. Together, he and Linda enjoyed going to estate sales and flea markets, admiring the artistic talents of local artisans, filling their home with many works of art. He also took an interest in woodworking; building furniture, display cases, clocks, and other intricately designed pieces. It gave him joy to give away most of what he built. He is survived by his wife Linda Mueller, four children: Darrell Mueller (Greta), David Mueller (Brenda), Jackie Swanson (Tom), Sharon Reynolds (Wade), three step children: Lonnie Gingrich (Jodie), Robbie Gingrich (Deanna), and Deanne Tenney, 13 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, his only brother Arnold, first wife, Ann Mueller, and an aunt close to his heart, Bertha Wobschall. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005. Services will be Wednesday, July 3rd at 11:00 AM with a viewing at 10:30 AM at Morningstar United Methodist Church, 2941 Morning Star Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88005. Rev.Travis Bennett officiating. Burial will be Friday, July 5th at 11:00 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave., El Paso, TX 79906. A Memorial will be held in Rapid City, SD at a later date. PDF Printable Version
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