Rosalee Haas Mueller passed away peacefully after 94 beautiful years of life on November 16, 2024. Rosalee was a caregiver to our father for many years and several of his aunts at various times in their lives. She is now in the care of our Lord.
Rosalee was born to Ernst and Erna Frank Haas in Houston, TX, on January 4, 1930. She graduated from Reagan High School in 1947, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and played the drums in the Reagan Redcoats Drum and Bugle Corp. She always did have spunk and rhythm!
After graduation Rosalee went to work as a bookkeeper for Houston Lighting and Power. That is where she honed the skills that led her to being the chief bookkeeper/payroll clerk/supply manager for our father Kenneth’s dental practice.
Rosalee caught Dad’s eye about this time through the statewide Lutheran Church youth league – known as Luther League. He was president, and she was treasurer. Their life together began September 3, 1949, while Kenneth was in dental school in Houston. Rosalee worked and kept Kenneth fed while trying to be quiet as he studied in their efficiency apartment.
When Kenneth went to serve as a dentist in Korea during the war, Rosalee and their oldest son Gary lived with her parents in Houston. Upon his return, they began life in Victoria, opening a dental practice and welcoming son Mark and daughter Carol.
Growing up in the Mueller household was fun. Meals in the evening were always together with her good cooking always on the table. There were times of fun family competition as she set about doing things like making pickles; she would have us see who could pack the most cucumbers in one jar. Rosalee had an amazing green thumb. She loved caring for her flowerbeds and potted plants, just as her mother taught her.
Kenneth and Rosalee were blessed with many wonderful friendships from their life in Houston and Victoria. There are too many to name; sadly, some have passed. New Year’s Eve and special holidays were always celebrated with this group. They were blessed by their church involvement at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Rosalee was active in many organizations, including the Decora Study Club, League of Women Voters, and Lutheran Church Women, to name a few. She volunteered at our schools.
Rosalee convinced Kenneth to take square dance lessons, this began a fabulous season of their life of dancing, traveling to dance and meeting many new friends.
Mom is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Kenneth C. Mueller, her sister, Erline Haas Hamil, and daughter-in-law, Carrie Smith Mueller. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Gary Mueller and wife Stephanie, Mark Mueller and wife Alice, and Carol Gruen and husband Frank.
Rosalee is also survived by seven grandchildren whom she loved so very much: Blake Mueller, Cheryl Mueller Brumley, Laura Mueller Jakubowski, Sarah Mueller, Kelly Mueller Hansen, Kyle Gruen, and Thomas Gruen. Being a grandmother filled her cup, and she attended as many activities as possible, encouraging and supporting as loud as she could from the sidelines! Rosalee was also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren. Also surviving her are niece and nephews: Ronald Mueller, Eddie Mueller, Daniel Hamil, Doris Armstrong, and Dean Hamil.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 4102 N. Ben Jordan St., Victoria, TX. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. The graveside service will be private. A reception will immediately follow the funeral service at the church activity center.
The family is very grateful to the staff at Silver Serenity, especially Monica Lott and Deanna Blanco along with Roxanne Martinez, Heaven Martinez and Jessica Huerta. Also to Willie Hughes and the entire staff of Hospice of South Texas for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Hospice of South Texas, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Growth Fund, or charity of donors choice.
To share a fond memory or words of comfort, visit rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
