Loren D. Mueller

Loren D. Mueller, 77, Linn, died Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the Washington County Hospital. Visitation was held Tuesday, June 19 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Ward Funeral Home in Linn.  The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 20 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Palmer, with Pastor Jacob Sherry officiating.  Kim Oatney was the organist and the congregation sang “How Great Thou Art,” “Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus” and Savior Again To Thy Dear name We Raise.”  “When Peace Like a River” was sung by Maggie Hansen and Alli Jones. Pallbearers were Brian Foreman, Michael Mueller, Alan Jones, Brad Jones, Clinton Jones, James Rahe and Chris Hansen.  Honorary pallbearers were Lowell Mueller, Dale Hiesterman, William Burger, Roland Tiemeyer, Duane Bruna, Justin Hill, Larry Reith and Steve Manley.Burial was in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard and the Greenleaf American Legion.  Kylie Rahe and Maggie Hansen played Taps. Loren was born on June 18, 1940 in Clay Center, Kan. to Herman and Lydia (Hiesterman) Mueller.  He was baptized, June 30, 1940 at St/ John’s Lutheran Church by Rev. George Lehenbauer.  Loren attended St. John’s Lutheran School and was confirmed, April 11, 1954.Loren graduated Linn Rural High School in 1958, where he participated in sports.  After graduation, he was employed by the Linn Cooperative Creamery, driving a truck.  He was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 28, 1963.  His basic training was at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and was then stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado.  He was honorably discharged on August 27, 1965.After returning from the service, Loren bought his own milk truck and became an owner/operator for the Linn Cooperative Creamery.  He loved driving the milk truck and made many friends on his route, all who had a special place in his heart.  After selling his milk truck, he held various jobs, retiring from the Washington County Sanitation Department.Loren served in various offices at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he was a lifelong member.  He was also a member of the Men’s Club and the Palmer American Legion Post 383, where he held the office of Commander at the time of his death.  Loren enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends, which he did often.  He also enjoyed traveling with Ruth Jones and Roland and the late Berneice Tiemeyer.  They traveled to many parts of the country.  After becoming friends with Ruth, he gained her children and grandchildren as family members also. In January of 2017, Loren moved to the Linn Community Nursing Home, where he was a resident at the time of his death.Preceding him in death were his parents; uncle, Artie Hiesterman; and nephew, Daniel Moore.Survivors include his brother, Lowell (Dorothy) Mueller, Garden City; nephew, Michael (Stephanie) Mueller, Elsa and Greta, Tulsa, Okla; nieces, Nancy (Brian) Foreman, Rachel, Chris, Alex and Bryce, Holcomb, Teresa Moore, Levi and Brooke, Springdale, Ark.; and close friend, Ruth Jones and family, Alan Jones, Clay Center and daughter, Kelsey (Dalton) Belzer and Wyatt, Hays, Brad (Lori) Jones, Evan and Emily, Washington, Deanna (James) Rahe, Greenleaf, Kristin (Craig Duskie) Rahe and Kort, Esbon, Clayton (Shelby) Rahe, Jax and Ames, Greenleaf, Kaylie Rahe, Greenleaf and fiancé Cody Meyer, Linn, Kylie Rahe, Greenleaf, Deb (Chris) Hansen, Maggie and Brigham, Greenleaf, and Clint (Dani) Jones, Alli, Cora, and Faye, Waterville.A memorial fund is established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Loren D. Mueller, please visit our flower store.