In Memory of Donna Muller
June 15, 1925 – March 15, 2018
Associate Donna Muller died on March 15, 2018, at the age of 92 at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, Iowa. Donna was born in Seneca, Iowa, on June 15, 1925, and met the Sisters of the Presentation in the 1960s when she taught with them at St. Michael Grade School. She became an associate on September 11, 2000. She is survived by four children, twelve grandchildren, and twenty-two great grandchildren. Below is the obituary from the Oakcrest Funeral Home.
Donna Jean Muller was born (a twin) June 15, 1925, in a farmhouse near Seneca, Iowa, the eighth child of Julius and Clara (Smith) Bollig. She attended 12 years of school at Seneca Consolidated School, graduating in 1943. Donna stayed at home that fall to help with the harvest, as three of her brothers were in WWII. In the spring of 1944, Donna attended University of Northern Iowa receiving her teaching certificate.
Donna began her teaching career in two country schools teaching all eight grades. She then accepted a teaching position in the Whittemore Public School where she met the love of her life, Cletus John Muller, who had just returned for his service in WWII. They were married February 15, 1947, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bancroft, Iowa.
In 1946, Clete opened “Mullers Café” in Whittemore. Donna ran the café until 1952, where she learned her cooking and baking skills from Grandma Grace. In 1960, she began teaching at her beloved St. Michael’s grade school until her retirement in 1987. During those 27 years close friendships were developed with many Presentation Sisters and Priests. Donna continued her love for education volunteering at Seton Grade School for five years.
Activities Donna enjoyed include golf (hole in one), playing cards with numerous card clubs and attending grandchildren’s sporting events. After retirement she treasured spending winters in Texas with her brother, Donnie. Donna was a member of the Whittemore City Council for 21 years, Whittemore Legion Auxiliary for 71 years and a very active member of St. Michael’s Church.
Donna died Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, Iowa. She was 92.
Donna and Clete were blessed with four children, William (Jeanette) of Olathe, KS; Linda (Tom) Froehlich of Huxley; Joseph (Susie) of Algona; Mary (Lyle) Lauf of Bismarck, ND. Donna developed an individual special relationship with each of her 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, each of them believing they were her favorite. Also surviving are sister, Betty Ann Kollasch and brother-in-law, Jim Muller.
Donna was preceded in death by husband, Cletus on July 23, 1981; five brothers, Howard, Gordon, Kenneth, Donald and Gene; three sisters, Camilla Metzger, Maxine Metzger and Ione Irmiter.
