Mary Jeanne Mueller

Mary Jeanne Mueller "Jeanne" Jeanne was born October 4, 1913 and left this life June 3, 2014 at the age of 100 years to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jeanne was born to Charles and Rachael Hodges in Tiffin, Ohio and was the middle child of three. Her family had been pioneer settlers in Ohio along the shores of the Maumee River and she often related to her children the tales she had heard from her grandmother, of the hardships the family experienced while pioneering in Ohio. When she was in grammar school, her father took a job in California as the engineer for the Coronado Ferry that traveled between San Diego and Coronado Island. And so, they left the mid-west, went by train, and moved to San Diego. The family later moved to Los Angeles when Jeanne's father got a job as a tool and die worker for Donald Douglas in a small garage in Norwalk, California. At the age of 15, Jeanne became a piano teacher to supplement the family income. As the Douglas Company grew into McDonald Douglas, her father became a designer of the DC-3 airplane. There was more money for the family then, but Jeanne continued to teach her piano students and inspire them with the music she loved. When she was a senior in high school, in Los Angeles, she met her husband Donald W. Mueller. She often told her family that when she was just a new student in her last year of high school, she remembered a "cute boy" who winked at her and she knew then that he was the one for her. They were married March 3, 1933 and were together for 49 years when Don passed away at the age of 69. Don and Jeanne earned their room and board during the depression years playing the piano and cello, with Jeanne on the piano, Don playing the cello and a friend on the violin, at The Alexandria Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Toward the end of the depression, Don got a job with the United States Postal Service and so they were able to start their family. As Jeanne continued to instruct piano students from her home, working part time at the May Co, she found time to raise five children. When her children were older, Jeanne went to Long Beach State to study to become a school teacher. She was then 42 years old. She earned her bachelor's degree in a record time of three years, graduating at the same time her oldest son graduated from dental school. She taught music in Palos Verdes, CA and Compton, CA Unified School Districts for 20 years. She was also the choir director and organist for more than 20 years at the First Lutheran Church of Compton, California. Jeanne taught piano lessons for more than 75 years of her long life and was a very accomplished musician herself. Jeanne and her husband moved in the early 1970's from the Los Angeles area to Modoc County and then to Fortuna in 1979, where they settled in a home on 13th street and Jeanne continued to instruct students on the piano. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Fortuna, where she also was assistant organist. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the Music Teachers Association. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Donald W. Mueller, Sr., an infant daughter Elsa, her son Alfred, her parents, her sister Louise and her brother Charles. She was also predeceased by her granddaughter Leslie Mueller and her son-in-law James Robbins. Jeanne is survived by her son Dr. Donald W. Mueller Jr. and his wife Linda of Fortuna, daughter Virginia Robbins of Rialto, California, daughter Margaret Christensen and husband Paul of Askov, Minnesota, and daughter-in-law Cheryl Mueller Adams of Los Angeles. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses Laurie and Tracy Sutherland of Redding, Allison "Ahly" Mueller of Nipomo, Denise and Tim Massenzo, Doreen and Steve VanPool, Darla Bustos, Kevin and Susan Robbins, all of the Los Angeles area, Rachael and John McLaird, of Minnesota, Mary and Jeff Pisano, of Rialto, David and Yvonne Robbins, of Los Angeles, Don and. Jodie Christensen, Elsa and Daniel Ring, Jeanne and Ronald Pavek, Paul and Tess Christensen all of Minnesota and Alfred Mueller and Christopher Mueller, of Los Angeles. She is also survived by 34 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to convey their sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Ladies Choice where Jeanne enjoyed her last years and was well loved and taken care of. They would also like to thank the staff of Hospice for their tender care during Jeanne's final days. At her request, there will be no services. Her family will gather at a later date to remember their mother, celebrate her long life and share together in her memory some of her favorite music. Donations to Hospice of Humboldt, the Music Teachers Association or your favorite charity , may be made in Jeanne's name. Arrangements are under the care of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obituaries.

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