March 20, 2024 – Washington County, WI – The Lord called his faithful servant, Dale Mueller, 76, home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with his family at his side.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Morning Star Lutheran Church, N171 W20131 Highland Road, Jackson, WI 53037, on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Visitation at the church from 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Dale Allen Mueller was born Friday, January 13, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Harry and Luella (nee Meyer) Mueller. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN, and graduated from Arlington High School.
Raised on the family farm, Dale learned the value of hard work and responsibility.
Not only did he serve his Lord, but Dale also served his country, was drafted, and spent two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was recently privileged to be part of one of the Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., a day he would always cherish.
Becoming a basketball official became a passion for Dale, which is how he met Susan J. Lehman. They were married on July 28, 1973, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, WI, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A year after marrying, they moved to Hartford, WI where they would live for 49 years.
Moving to Wisconsin meant that Dale would embark on many new adventures. He worked several years in the building trades and lumber yards in Jackson, Hartford, and Cedarburg.
The Lord saw great potential in Dale as a “people person” and led him to accept a position as Director of the Builders for Christ program affiliated with Kingdom Workers in Milwaukee. He would spend the next 21 years traveling through the country and Canada presenting plans and preparing congregations for the building projects, both churches and schools. His “passion” became to give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear the Gospel message.
Dale served his Lord in many other ways also, including Vice President of Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford, and also as a member of building committees at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Peace Lutheran Church, and Morning Star Lutheran Church. Dale greatly enjoyed working with young people as basketball coach and assisting with summer camps. He especially enjoyed one summer at a camp on the Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Dale enjoyed many other activities as well, hunting up north at “Uncle Bob’s,” fishing, and playing slow-pitch softball. He was definitely converted and became an avid Badger and Packer fan and being an avid basketball fan, he said that next to deer hunting his favorite time of the year was March Madness.
Retirement brought the chance to do more “people-meeting.” He worked at the Wisconsin Auto Museum and drove a van for Interfaith Caregivers. Dale became the “Lawn Ranger” taking care of the lawns at church. But many unexpected health challenges presented themselves, cancer being the one he finally succumbed to.
Dale leaves behind his wife, Sue, daughters, Sarah of Hartford, and Emily- along with favorite son-in-law, Dan Anderson, of Jackson, brothers, Gerald (Judy), Richard (Kris) both of Arlington, MN, and a sister, Susie (Scott) Kroells of Wall, S.D. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his Godmother Elaine Brockhoff, not to forget his beloved “grand dog” Nico, and a sister-in-law, Jane Lehmann of Watertown, WI. Preceding him in death were his parents, and one brother-in-law, Peter Lehmann.
Dale’s Celebration of Life will continue at the Wisconsin Auto Club Museum in Hartford, about 12:30 p.m. following the church service. We ask family and friends to join together to share memories of Dale and enjoy a light lunch.
Dale’s great passion for his work led him to firmly believe that it was not a building or a church that saved someone, but rather what happened in the church that was most important.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matt 25:21
In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated to Kingdom Prep High School in Milwaukee, Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, and/or to the Honor Flight, in care of Dale’s family.
