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In memory of

Emil Muller

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at a nursing home in Rapid City at the age of 95

Emil was born September 16, 1911, on his parents' homestead north of Wall, south Dakota, the son of Peter and Gottliebine (Geigle) Muller. He attended his young years of school in the lake flat area. In 1921, he moved with his parents to Wall, South Dakota, where he graduated from Wall Public School. His greatest enjoyment was playing basketball.

He was baptized in St. Paul Lutheran Church north of Quinn, South Dakota and confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Wall.

Along with his parents he farmed, ranched and helped with the dairy operation delivering milk around Wall selling it for 5 cents a quart.

Emil was united in marriage to Bertha Simpfenderfer of Golden Valley, North Dakota in the year 1934. Together they had 72 years of marriage.

After his parents passing he took over the farming operation. He still drove his John Deere tractor at the age of 85, then finally retired and moved to Rapid City, where he resided until his death.

Emil was a member of First Lutheran Church, where he held different offices. He was a member of the Wall Fire Department for several years, a member of Crop Improvement, won a Farmstead Beautification award from East Pennington Conservation District, member of the Lions Club, and served as Director of West River Electric Association for nine years. He enjoyed many years of bowling, playing pool and darts, and attending basketball games.

Emil was a kind and gentle man always with a smile and a wave and will be greatly missed.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Bertha; three daughters Laura Kjerstad and her husband Theodore of Quinn, Donna Zubke and her husband Dean of Rapid City, and Beverly Sims and her husband Hal of Wichita, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Emil was preceded in death by a son Dale; a great-granddaughter Tiffany Zubke; his parents; and one sister Pauline Muller in infancy.

Visitation was held 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall, with Pastor Lowell Boettcher officiating.

Interment will be in the Wall Cemetery.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Lowell Boettcher
MUSIC
Mary Kay Wilson – Organist
Vocalists
Emil’s Granddaughters
Cheryl Fitch – Wendy Johnson – Rhonda Sinclair
Anita Sandal – Lisa McIlravy
Congregational Hymn
"I’m But A Stranger Here"
PALLBEARERS
Emil’s Grandsons
John Olson – Randy Kjerstad
Ted L. Kjerstad – David Kjerstad
Scott Sims – Kevin Sinclair
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
A 69 Balloon Release will take place at the cemetery representing
the 69 living descendants of Emil.
"Amazing Grace" will be sung by Judy Bergman

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, March 17, 2007 - 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota

  • I will always cherish the fond memories I have of Mr. Emil and his family. From the times I spent at their dinner table as a youngster, to the cheerful smiles and loving greetings whenever I saw Emil and Bertha in and around Wall when I returned...those are the unforgettable times I will always hold in my heart. You were one great man, Mr. Emil. Thanks for everything. Jonny ~ Jonny Creighton Winn-Holsether Wall, SD (3/11/2007)
  • You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May God put on your minds and in your hearts happy memories to make this difficult time easier. ~ Scott and Sherry McMurtrie 1021 Azure Circle, Wichita, KS 67235 (3/11/2007)
  • My deepest sympathies to you all. I had the honor of spending some time with my good friend Bev's family and visited with her father. I was touched by the way that Mr. and Mrs. Muller looked out for each other. Reading about his life and accomplishments gave me a peek at Mr. Muller's life long before I met him. May God grant you the peace that only He can give as you mourn the loss of your father. ~ Sherry McMurtrie 1021 Azure Circle, Wichita, KS 67235 (3/11/2007)
  • We are very sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers. ~ Deborah, Jim, Matt, Kat and Jackie Kuiack 14008 Highland Springs Crt, Wichita, KS 67235 (3/11/2007)
  • Uncle Emil was a kind and very caring man. He was very compassionate and understanding. I Van will always remember the times when I got help him farm at the age of 12 by driving his big tractors around the huge fields. Thanks Uncle Emil for the wonderful memories I will always cherish. ~ Van & Cathy Simpfenderfer & Blake & Erin 409 1/2 4th Avenue, Wall, SD 57790 (3/11/2007)
  • Knowing Mr. Muller was not an opportunity we were given. Yet in living across the street from his daughter Bev and husband Hal, joining Bev and Hal for a small group Bible Study that they host/teach in their home each Sunday evening; enjoying the friendship of Mr. Muller's three Grandchildren (Denise, Scott, Jennifer) and spouses; as well as eight of Mr. Muller's Great Grandchildren and one of his Great-Great Grandchildren we feel that we surely known at least a very small but special part of this wonderful man. Furthermore, as we looked at the picture of Mr. Muller we saw a smile ever so reflective of his youngest daughter, our friend Bev. Over the years Bev and Hal have shared countless memories of her wonderful Dad. We thank God that we have known Bev's Dad through his legacy of descendents, The Sims Family, living in Wichita, Ks. This legacy has made our own lives more complete in many ways! ~ Steve and Barbara Jean Pickens 224 S. Forestview Ct., Wichita, KS 67235 (3/11/2007)
  • Grandpa Muller!! What can you say?? Anybody who knew Grandpa knew exactly how special he was. He knew people every where that he went and touched everybody in a special way. John will miss his morning visits with Grandpa at the Nursing Home. We know that he is in a better place now and that he will be watching over us all. My kids will always remember their Great Grandpa as wonderful, kind man who always had a smile to share. We miss you! ~ John, Denita, Austin, Corbin Olson P.O. Box 2954, Rapid City, SD 57709 (3/11/2007)
  • We are spending the winter in Tucson, AZ and read of Emil's death on the internet. Lee and I feel so sorry! He was a friend and another of the Wall old timers who mean so much to us and the community. We will miss him and hope your mom is coping ok as they were together for so long. Thinking of you. Jim and Lee Joyce ~ Jim and Lee Joyce 12781 White Tail Rd., Custer, SD 57730 (3/11/2007)
  • So sorry to hear about Emil. Our prayers and sympathy to Bertha and all the family. ~ Kenneth & Aletha (Bryan) Wood 1901 Plum Ck. Parkway. #14, Lexington, NE 68850 (3/11/2007)
  • Uncle Emil will be greatly missed. He was a warm, caring and loving uncle. May God welcome him home with open arms. ~ Kathy Simpfenderfer 2115 E. Vinson #5108, Harlingen, TX 78550 (3/11/2007)
  • We send our prayers to Bev & Hal and all Family members. ~ Shannon & Kim Mastellar 13719 Highland Springs Ct., Wichita, KS (3/11/2007)
  • Grandpa Muller was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly. Our love and prayers to everyone. ~ Myra C. Sims P.O. Box 12733, Wichita, KS 67277 (3/11/2007)
  • We send our Love and Prayers to all the Family and Friends. ~ Hal & Bev Sims 244 S. Forestview Ct., Wichita, KS 67235 (3/11/2007)
  • Our thoughts and love are with you both. ~ Ken & Roberta Corrin 1213 Downing St., Rapid City, SD (3/11/2007)
  • . ~ August Geigle 301 E. Pear, Parkston, SD (3/11/2007)