Thomas R. Mueller

Thomas Roy Mueller

Thomas Roy Mueller, age 63, of Cokato, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, with his wife and daughters at his side,
following a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born Jan. 11, 1948, in St. Cloud, to Clarence and Doreen (Clear) Mueller. Tom was baptized at St. Mary’s
and confirmed at St Martin’s in Rogers.

He grew up in Osseo, attended St. Martin’s Elementary in Rogers, and graduated from St. Michael High School in 1966.

After high school, Tom attended North Hennepin Community College, and was drafted into the US Army. He served in Vietnam
and was wounded June 24, 1969. Following his recovery, he was honorably discharged.

Tom married Deanna Larson Nov. 6, 1971, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato. The couple was blessed with two daughters.

They made their home in Cokato, and Tom worked as a tool maker at Fabri Tek for over 30 years.

Tom enjoyed fishing, yard work, grilling, cooking meals for his family, feeding birds and squirrels, watching his children
and grandchildren play sports, daily coffee with the guys, and playing practical jokes. Recently, Tom reunited with his
Vietnam “brothers” and enjoyed attending their yearly reunions and having telephone visits with these men.

The last several years of Tom’s life, he and Deanna lovingly and unselfishly cared for relatives who were ill.
Most important to Tom was spending time with his wife, daughters, and especially, his grandchildren.

Tom was a fighter right up to the end and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Deanna, of Cokato; daughters Jennifer (Jeff) Rensch of Hutchinson,
and Melissa (Sam Weber) of Annandale; grandchildren Paige, Taylor, Grant, Ellery, MaKenzie, and Sam;
parents Clarence and Doreen Mueller of Rogers; brothers Jerry (Taz) of Virginia Dale, CO, Daniel (Nadine) of Andover,
Philip of St. Michael, Jon, and Erik, both of Rogers; father and mother-in-law Ernest and Dorothy Larson of South Haven;
brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and many friends.

Tom was preceded in death by an infant brother, Joseph; his grandparents, Matt and Anna Mueller and Roy and Olivia Clear;
and a brother-in-law, David Larson.

A memorial service took place Saturday, Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel,
with interment at Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Cokato.

Tom’s six grandchildren were his urn bearers, and honorary bearers were his Vietnam brothers.

From the Herald Journal

Photo from Annandale Advocate

Thomas Mueller was awarded the Soldier's Medal for his heroic actions on
June 24, 1969, when an explosion occurred at a load of ammunition being secured
by Company B 1/22 Infantry. In that incident, five Soldiers were killed and three
were wounded. Thomas was one of the wounded.

Burial:
Lutheran Cemetery
Cokato
Wright County
Minnesota, USA

Grave marker for Thomas Roy Mueller

Photo by Jessica Adza from the Find A Grave website

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