Obituary: Don L. Mueller

October 19, 1941 ~ January 1, 2023

Don Lawrence Mueller, age 81, died on January 1, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Don was born on October 19, 1941, in Kewaunee, WI to Elmer and Elizabeth (Roidt) Mueller.  He graduated from Kewaunee High School with the class of 1959.  He attended the University of Wisconsin Extension – Green Bay from 1959-1961.

Don married his high school sweetheart, the former Joyce Lehrmann on June 27, 1964.

Don worked as an engineer for The Manitowoc Company in Manitowoc, Hamilton Industries in Two Rivers, and HMF Innovations, Manitowoc, from which he retired in 2007.  Don spent his professional career designing specialized automated machinery. Along with his brother David, Don was co-owner/operator of Letsgofishing Trolling Weights Company, Kewaunee.  He was also owner of Woodland Machine Co., Kewaunee.

During high school, Don was the President of the Kewaunee High School Gun Club.

Don was a member of the Kewaunee Hunting and Fishing Club, and one of the five founders of the Kewaunee Trap Club, where he served as a Hunter Safety Instructor for over fifty years.  Don was a member of the National Rifle Association and Nicolet Rifle Club.  Don also served as a volunteer at Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay.

Don was a man of faith who had a deep passion for family, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.  Passions that he loved to share with family and friends.  Don treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Don was a hardworking, fun-loving man who loved telling stories.  He was a man who could seemingly build or fix just about anything, and was one of the most knowledgeable people you could ever meet.  He had a passion for mentoring and teaching the youth.  Don could be found on his tractor, spending time working in his woods, planting trees, cutting trees, and making firewood.  Don was also an expert gunsmith and avid reader.  He loved camping with Joyce, family, and friends at Rock Island State Park.

Don is survived by Joyce, his wife of 58 years.  He is also survived by his three children: Tena (Brian) Hartwig of New Holstein, Betsy (Deacon Dave) Scheuer of Maribel, Tom Mueller of Kewaunee; his five grandchildren: Kyle Hartwig (Megan Giese) of Sheboygan, Kaleb Hartwig of New Holstein, Ethan Hartwig (special friend Aileen Funk) of Milwaukee, John Scheuer of Big Sky, Montana, and Grace Scheuer of Eau Claire; his two great grandchildren: Scarlett and Violet Hartwig.

He is further survived by two sisters; Sarah (Dennis) Schuchardt of Appleton, and Sue (Chris) Bacos of Green Bay; his Sisters-in-law: Jean Mueller of Kewaunee, Marie Skarvan of Manitowoc, Jean (Richard) Becker of Two Rivers, Eileen Gretz of Manitowoc, and Luella (David) Soukup of Manitowoc.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elizabeth Mueller, his father-in law and mother-in-law, Henry and Grace Lehrmann, his brother David Mueller, and in-laws Roger and Karen Lehrmann, Eugene Skarvan, and Kenneth Gretz.

Visitation will be held at Kinnard Funeral Home, 1425 Ellis Street, Kewaunee, on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in main chapel. A prayer service at 7:00 p.m., led by Deacon Dave Scheuer, will conclude the evening.  Visitation will continue Saturday morning, January 7, at St. Therese Parish, St. Lawrence Church Site – Stangleville from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dennis Drury, assisted by Deacon Dave Scheuer at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7 at St. Therese Parish, St. Lawrence Church Site – Stangelville. 

Kinnard Funeral Home of Kewaunee is assisting the Mueller family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Bellin Hospital, in particular Joel in the Emergency Department and Justin in the ICU for their compassionate care of Don.