Elmer T. Mueller

Elmer T. Mueller, 92, of Beatrice, NE, and formerly of Hanover, KS, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at the Lake Point Nursing Home in Augusta, KS. Visitation was Friday, December 20, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., at the Hanover Mortuary. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church north of Hanover. Rev. Rodney Fritz officiated. Arlyce Klipp played the organ while the congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Fight the Good Fight” and “Amazing Grace”. Burial was in the church cemetery. Elmer was born on August 19, 1921, on the family farm near Hanover, son of Herman and Hermine (Rippe) Mueller. On August 21, 1921, he was baptized into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. H.F.C. Grupe. His sponsors were August Lohse, Theodore Rippe and Heinrich Mueller. On June 2, 1935, he was confirmed in his Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran by the Rev. Dr. William Mahler. He graduated from Trinity Lutheran School completing the 8th grade. He attended one year of High School in Hanover and one year in California. He moved to San Diego, CA, where he worked for Consolidated Aircraft Company. In 1941, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was trained as a bombardier. In 1945, he received an honorable discharge attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant. He flew 20 combat missions in the European Theatre of Operations. Elmer was awarded the European Theatre Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars; World War II Victory Medal; American Theatre Ribbon; Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf clusters and the Army of Occupation Medal. After his discharge he returned home and farmed until retiring in 1985. In 1988, he moved to Beatrice where he was a member of The American Legion and VFW. Elmer was a lifelong member of Trinity. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter and his wife Mary; and infant sister, Erna Mueller. Survivors include three nieces, Kathy (Tom) Van Winkle Platzer, Texas, Karen (Raymond) Tole, Towanda, KS, and Sandra (Gary) Atkins, Colorado. A memorial fund has been established to Trinity Lutheran Church. Contributions may be sent in care of the Hanover Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elmer T. Mueller, please visit our flower store.