Raymond Mueller

Raymond H. Mueller, age 90, a lifelong resident of the Hillsboro area, passed away on Sunday, September 26, 2004, at the Hillsboro Medical Center Nursing Home. Ray was born at home, near Hillsboro, on May 26, 1914, the second child and only son of Mathias and Emma (Kritzberger) Muller. His family moved by wagon, when he was four years old, to a farm northwest of Hillsboro where he learned the life of a farmer and helped tend the fields by horse. Raymond attended a one room rural school for 7 years and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1931. He later graduated from the State School of Science in Wahpeton. Ray met and married the love of his life, Lilas Lemm, on October 11, 1939, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. They raised nine children teaching them to have a strong faith and solid work ethic. Ray devoted himself to his family, his farm, his church, and his community his entire life. Ray was a charter member of the Hillsboro KC Club and was their financial secretary for 23 years. He served on the church council and was president of the building committee. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and being at the lake with his family and friends. Ray water-skied until he was 84 years old. Ray farmed over 50 years, retired in 1974, and moved to Hillsboro. Since 1979, winters were spent in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Ray continued to serve his retirement community with his expertise of machinery and interest in the carving of wood and rock. He was a member, director, president or wagon master of the Roadrunner Rock Club for close to 20 years. He crafted several beautiful pieces of art from wood and rock that will be treasured by his family for years to come. He also stayed active in the park owner association and was always eager to assist in picking oranges and grapefruit for the homeless shelters. His son-in-law, Jon Sollom, and three grandsons preceded Ray in death. Those who shared in his life are his wife of 65 years; five sons; Charles (Gladys) of Prescott, WI; Jim (Renee) of Fargo, ND; Bill (Sharon), Richard (Bonnie), Tom (Diane) all of Hillsboro, ND; and four daughters, Rosalyn (Bob) Gifford of Moorhead, MN; Jeanette Sollom of Hudson, WI; Barb Klatt of West Fargo, ND; and Joanne (Mark) Strege of Perham, MN. There are 30 surviving grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. VISITATION: 5-7:30 Tuesday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church - and one hour prior to the funeral in the church on Wednesday PRAYER SERVICE: 7:30 PM Tuesday in the church FUNERAL MASS: 1 PM Wednesday in the church BURIAL: St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Hillsboro Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home, Hillsboro. Online guest book at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.