Donna C. Mueller

Come rejoice with us as we celebrate Mom’s entrance into the glories of Heaven!

Mom (Donna) was born on April 29, 1934 in Bay City, Michigan to Irene (Wegener) and Elmer Sturm, the oldest of five children. She was baptized on May 9th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monitor Township and attended school there too (she only walked one mile to school in knee-deep snow to get there). Confirmation was March 30, 1947. 

 After graduation, she attended T.L. Handy High School. She was interested in baseball and one game she saw a handsome catcher named Bob Mueller. Their first date was to the ‘Showboat’ in Chesaning. They were married June 16, 1956, while Dad was completing his studies at Wisc. Lutheran Seminary to be a Lutheran pastor. 1st son Paul was born a few months before Dad graduated. They left for Monroe, Michigan to serve two churches in that area. 

 It was while they were there that Mom had Mark in 1958 and Kurt in 1959. Daughter Sharon was born in 1962. Mom was a great mother to us; a great pastor’s wife (the one church started in our living room); and a great secretary for Dad. 

 Besides Dad, Mom’s interests include Polka and square dancing, quilting, cooking contests, card-playing and traveling. Trips for the two of them included two to Germany, national parks, bus trips and a year in Siberia as missionaries. They loved their time there as they learned about spreading the Gospel in a corrupt culture. After “retirement”, they served 17 churches from California, to Maine, to Florida, to Sault Ste Marie and many places in between. They loved meeting people while serving their Lord. 

 After the kids got older, she worked outside the home as a product demonstrator, Kelly Girl Services jack-of-all-trades, and secretary in a real-estate office before she worked as Dad’s secretary, chauffer and body-guard. 

 She is survived by her son Paul (Julie), Mark (Torri), Sharon (Eric) and daughter-in- law Hannah. Mom is called Grandma by 14 lucky grandkids and 28 great-grandkids. She’s also survived by sisters Barb (Bob) and Ruth and brothers Ken (Geri) and Mike (Cris) and numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws. 

 Funeral arrangements are with Gephart Funeral Home (Midland Street, Bay City, Michigan). Visitation there will be from 3:00 to 8:00 on Friday, Nov.15th and the funeral service will be at St. John Lutheran Church, Bay City (WELS) on the corner of Jayne & Alp at 11:00 on Saturday, Nov. 15th. 

 She was preceded in death by Dad and her son Kurt and great-grandson Elliot. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (11831 N. Seminary Dr. Mequon, Wis. 53092) or to The Committee on Aid and Relief (CAR) at N16W23377 Stone Ridge Dr. Waukesha, Wis. 53188.