Sophie Pauline Mueller, daughter of Frederick and Sophie Zell Volker, was born November 18, 1915, near Randalia in rural Fayette County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Richfield of rural Sumner. She received her education in country schools in Minnesota and Iowa. Prior to marriage, Sophie worked for the Treloar family doing housework and babysitting.

            On March 12, 1936, she was united in marriage with Paul A. Mueller at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waverly by Rev. R.C. Schlueter. She assisted her husband on farms in Chickasaw, Bremer, and Fayette Counties before moving into Sumner in 1973. Paul’s death occurred on October 31, 1995.

            A resident of the Hillcrest Home in Sumner since March of 2008, her death occurred there on Wednesday, May 20, 2010 following a brief illness. She was 94 years old and a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ of rural Sumner. She was also a member of the Farm Bureau women’s group, St. Paul’s Ladies Fellowship, and numerous card clubs. She loved gardening and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

            Sophie is survived by two sons, Duane Mueller of Dike, and Lloyd (Eleanor) Mueller of Maquoketa; one daughter, LaVonne (Jerry) Nail of Unionville, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; twenty-three great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one brother, Roy Volker of Frederika; and one sister, Evelyn Rewoldt of Cedar Falls.

          In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Marlys Miller; one granddaughter, Tamara Miller; one son-in-law, Lee Miller; one daughter-in-law, Dorothy Mueller; one sister, Lucille Buckendahl; one brother, Frederick Volker; and two step brothers, Jim and Bill Volker.

          Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 24, 2010, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner. Friends may call from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, May 23, 2010, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made in her name to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, rural Sumner. Interment will be at Wilson Grove Cemetery in Sumner.