Darlene Henrietta (Mattson) Mueller, age 79, of Dresser, Wisconsin, died Friday, April 4, 2025 at Christian Community Home in Osceola, Wisconsin.
Darlene was born on August 9, 1945 in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Peter and Henrietta (Luhman) Mattson. She was baptized and confirmed at Spring Garden Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm in Leon Township, in Goodhue County; she attended District 49 one-room country school and was active in 4-H. She graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1963.
Darlene attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from its School of Home Economics in 1967. It was on the university’s St. Paul campus where she met her husband, Donald Mueller, of Lake City, Minnesota. Darlene and Don were married at Spring Garden Lutheran Church on July 1, 1967.
Darlene completed her student teaching in Stewartville, Minnesota, and worked as a home economics teacher before joining the U.S. Department of Agriculture in North Branch, Minnesota. She later became a certified nursing assistant and retired from the Good Samaritan Society in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.
Darlene was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, where she led Sunday school, was a member of women’s circles, and volunteered for congregational work groups. Most recently she was an avid letter writer, sending cards to church members with illnesses or significant life events.
Darlene enjoyed traveling and was delighted to visit many domestic and international locations. At home, she was fond of her flower gardens which contain a number of colorful and fragrant varieties. She was known for her enthusiastic celebration of Christmas and other holidays. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Don Mueller; children, Lori Mueller of Minneapolis, and Craig (Jennifer) Mueller of Bellingham, Washington; grandchildren, Anya and Matthew Mueller; siblings, Morris (Audrey) Mattson of Cannon Falls, and Cheryl Grunzke of Itasca, Illinois; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Mattson of Annandale, Minnesota and Marjorie Breuer of Rochester, Minnesota; four godchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clifford (Jeanette), Merle, Donald (Marlene) and Bernard (Donna); brothers-in-law, James Grunzke and Leon Breuer; niece, Sharla Breuer; and nephew, Keith Mattson.
Celebration of Life for Darlene will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at First Lutheran Church in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, with Pastor Dwight Rudquist officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior, and also the evening before on Friday, May 16, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola, Wisconsin. Interment to be held at a later date.
Arrangements made through Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola. Condolences can be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
