Mr. Fred Mueller of Urbandale, Iowa, died June 30, 2019, at the veterans hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, of cancer. There will be a memorial gathering to celebrate his life at Iles Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines on Saturday, July 20.
Mr. Mueller was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, the middle of three children to Theresa and George Mueller. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School. When his service in the U.S. Navy was complete, he earned his business degree at Southern Illinois University.
He married Dolores (Dee) Mueller on Oct. 2, 1954, and began a long career at the E.J. Brach Candy Co. The family moved to West Des Moines in 1968. In 1975, Mr. Mueller, along with his partner, Phil Yurgae, founded Mueller Yurgae Associates, a food and candy brokerage. Mr. Mueller’s sons now are part of the leadership team.
Over the years, Mr. Mueller was actively involved in a number of organizations, most notably the American Legion Post in Urbandale. He taught at Des Moines Area Community College, coached basketball at Sacred Heart and was active at Dowling High School.
The Muellers were married for 54 years before Dee succumbed to Alzheimer’s in December 2008.
Mr. Mueller is survived by his sons, Dan (Barb) and Bob (Robin) of Urbandale; daughters, Ellen Barton and Nancy Stepuszek (Dan) of Chicago; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sister, Julia (Cookie).
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mr. Mueller’s name may be given to the American Legion Post #663, Urbandale.
