Vernon Carl Earnest Mueller, 95, of Austin, Minnesota, died Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Primrose Retirement Community.

Vernon was born Aug. 4, 1921, in Claremont, Minnesota, to William A. and Gertrude (Kruckeberg) Mueller. He was baptized at home on Aug. 5, 1921, by the Rev. C.F. Malbow. Vern attended grade school near Bixby, Minnesota and high school in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Owatonna, Minnesota, on May 26, 1935, by Pastor Bonhoff.  Vern lived and farmed with his parents until he married Irma Meyer on April 8, 1945. Vern and Irma farmed the home place until they moved to the Waltham, Minnesota, area. Later they moved to Rose Creek, Minnesota, where they farmed for 20 years. In March 1968, Vern was forced to sell out for health reasons, and moved to Austin where he was employed at Tempo for a couple of years. Later he started working in the Austin High School kitchen for 16 years. Before joining St. John’s Lutheran Church, Vern was a member of Holy Cross, where he served two terms on the evangelism committee, was an usher, and helped with the church cleaning. He loved traveling, camping, woodworking, carving and yard work. Vern always looked at the positive side of life with a smile. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family dearly.

Survivors include his son Richard (Elaine) Mueller of Des Moines, Iowa; four grandsons, Timothy (Ronda) Mueller and David (Wendy) Mueller, both of Des Moines, Marshall (Becky) Anderson of Mansfield, Texas, and Michael (Carryn) Anderson of North Liberty, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Irma, on March 20, 2017; his son Charles; daughter and son-in-law, Shirley (Ron) Anderson; his sister Florence Meyer; and a baby brother.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor James Groleau officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at St. John’s. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.