Margaret Mueller

Margaret M. Mueller, 90, of Willmar, died Sunday, August 19, 2012, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.

A memorial service will be held at 1 P.M. Monday, January 7th, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. The interment was held at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. (www.petersonbrothers.com)

Margaret Marian (Carlson) Mueller was born on August 12, 1922 in rural DeGraff, Minnesota, the daughter of Florence Marie (Jacobson) and Arthur William Carlson. She was the eldest of sixa�"two sisters and three brothers. The family moved often during her early years and her father deserted the family by the time she was twelve. By that time, the family was established in Willmar and her mother raised the family as a single parent. Her family moved to Willmar where she grew up, was confirmed at Vinje Lutheran Church, continued her education and graduated from Willmar High School in 1940. Although Margaret had aspirations and aptitude for becoming a nurse, she remained home to help her mother after high school out of necessity. She went to work in various clerical positions. During WW II, she worked for then Register of Deeds and Abstractor Otto Trulson in Kandiyohi County. It was through corresponding with Otto's soldier son, Wesley Trulson, who was stationed overseas, that the courtship began that led to 43 years of marriage. On June 6, 1947, she was married to Wesley O. Trulson at Vinje Lutheran Church and they made their home in Litchfield for a short time and then moved toWillmar. Margaret became a member of Calvary Lutheran and she was very active in the church, serving as a member of the Ladies Circle, a wedding consultant, Sunday School Teacher, Nickel Supper Helper, Deaconess and Altar Guild. Later she was a volunteer with the Widow Person Service. She continued to work for Kandi Abstracting until around 1982 when she started her own abstract company, Trulson Abstracting Company, that she ran out of her home. Her first husband, Wes, died in 1990. On April 9, 2005, she was married to Rev. Fred Mueller at Calvary Lutheran Church and she became a member of Vinje Lutheran Church. She enjoyed doing hand work such as knitting and crocheting, she crocheted afghans for each of her nieces and nephews for wedding gifts, gardening - especially flowers, dancing and playing cards. Her legacy of stories, recipes, and memorable moments will live on in ways that would have embarrassed, humbled and gratified her in her reach into this world....a world left more impoverished for her lack of being it. Our family has a history of strong matriarchal women which Margaret and her siblings would credit to their mother, Florence.  Granny's strong belief and love for her family continued on in Margaret.  She loved being with family and being involved in their lives.  She attended many baptisms, weddings and graduation parties as well as hosting family gatherings in her home. She will always be remembered for her constant love for her husbands, son and family. She will be remembered for her undying kindness and generosity, her gentleness, her sense of humor and quick wit, her undying love for family, her tireless work ethic, and her devotion to the life of her churches, Calvary and Vinje Lutheran.

She is survived by one son, Jerome (Jere) Truer of St. Louis Park, one granddaughter, Kate (and James) Whooley of Brooklyn, NY, one great granddaughter, June Rose Whooley, three stepsons; Dr. Thomas (and Vickie) Mueller of Willmar, Paul Mueller (and Jamee Aard) of New York, NY and John Mueller (and Bea Soong) of New York, NY, one stepdaughter, Sandra Mueller (and Dan Boyd) of St. Michael MN, two step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren. Also survived by one brother, William (and Peg) Carlson of Duluth, two sisters; Doris Johnson of Cottage Grove and Josephine "Joan" (and Jerry) Smothers of Anoka and several nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Wes Trulson in 1990, second husband Rev. Fred Mueller in 2012 , two brothers; John and Merrill Carlson and one nephew, John.