Bio: Mueller, Richard W., Pastor (1903 - 1969)
Poster: R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gausewitz, Laech, Mueller

----Source: The Centennial Booklet of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 1876 - 1976, page 31

Mueller, Richard W. Pastor (April 30, 1903 - September 6, 1969)

Pastor Richard W. Mueller was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 30, 1903.

On June 6, 1903, he was baptized in St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in St. Paul by Pastor C. Gassewitz, who originally edited “Luther’s Small Catechism.”

He attended St. John’s Lutheran School and was confirmed in 1917.

After graduating from Luther College in St. Paul with a B.A. Degree, he enrolled in our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, then located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Upon graduation from the Seminary, he was assigned to Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin, as a tutor in Latin and Commercial Mathematics for a period of two years. He was also granted a B. A. Degree by Northwestern College in June of 1928.

On June 27, 1928, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Laech of Milwaukee. The marriage was blessed with two children, Richard, who later served as missionary in Zambia, Africa and Helen.

His first call into the ministry was to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, where he was ordained and installed on July 15, 1928.

In 1929 he accepted a call to Arcadia, Wisconsin, where he served until 1934.

From 1934 until 1940, he served the congregations of Wilson and Ridgeway, Minnesota, and from 1940 to 1948, he served as pastor of our congregation.

Our Christian Day School was re-established during Pastor Mueller’s pastorate here, after a period of nineteen years, in the two room school building built in 1939, with Waldemar A. Pape as the principal.

On October 10, 1940, Pastor Mueller was installed as pastor of St. John’s in Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he served until the time of his death on Saturday, September 6, 1969, which occurred in the sacristy of his church while preparing for the Sunday service.

On July 27th, preceding his demise, Pastor Mueller was honored by his congregation in an Appreciation Service.”

During his ministry, Pastor Mueller served the church at large in various ways. From 1956 until 1964, he served as President of the West Wisconsin District of the Wisconsin Synod. He also served on the Synod’s Commission on Committee of Assignment of Calls.

Mrs. Mueller continues to reside in Jefferson, Wisconsin, the home of the congregation served by Pastor Mueller.