Lawrence Ernest Mueller

Lawrence “Larry” Ernest Mueller, 95, was born in 1925 on the Fenton, Iowa homestead that his parents farmed. He went to be with the Lord on December 15, 2020. He was the son of Ernest Henry Mueller and Selma Wolter Mueller. He farmed with horses before tractors were available, and had pleasant memories of threshing oats with fellow neighbors, fishing, and working hard and living simple. He graduated from high school in Fenton, Iowa.

He met a neighbor girl, Beverly, and their first date was to the Algona County Fair in August 1947. Their favorite dates would be to dance the nights away and drive to either Interlaken or the Plantation, where big bands played such as Lawrence Welk or Tommy Dorsey. They became engaged in December 1947.

Lawrence married Beverly Cody in January 1949 in Depew, Iowa. They farmed in and near Fenton, and started their family of five children. Lawrence raised hogs, cows and chickens, along with farming fields of corn and soybeans. In 1960 they sold the farm and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. He had various odd jobs before accepting an insurance job as a State Farm Insurance agent. Little did Larry know that his successful State Farm career would lead to three generations following his path.

Lawrence was a member of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Sun Lakes and former member of Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. He was involved with organizations including Sertoma Club, Bonsai Club, and Garden Club. He was a lifelong blood donor, loved his church and spent many years volunteering and doing maintenance and landscaping projects there. He truly enjoyed keeping meticulous lawns, planting flowers, and caring for his bonsai trees. Larry and Beverly were able to travel abroad to many destinations. His biggest joys in life were loving his Lord, loving his wife of almost 72 years, and loving his children, grandchildren, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Selma Mueller, son, Douglas Mueller, and sisters, Luella Pompe and Grace Finnestad.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, and his children, Dennis (Susan) Mueller, Connie (Scott) Davis, Randy (Faith) Mueller, and Lisa (Michael) McCain. He is survived by grandchildren, Jeremy (former spouse Joei) Mueller, Brandon (Jody) Mueller, Christopher (Renee) Davis, Dustin (Karina) Davis, Nicholas (Angela) Davis, Michael (Devin) Davis, Taylor McCain, and Kyra McCain; and 16 great grandchildren. He is survived by his sister, Gladys Wegener, and brother, Harlan (Lucia) Mueller, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Risen Savior Lutheran Church. Due to Covid restrictions, there will not be a reception following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248 or Summit Healthcare Services, 7310 N. 16th St., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85020