Rodney "Rod" Jon Mueller passed away on July 10, 2021 in New Ulm, Minnesota at the age of 69 years, 9 months, and 4 days.

Rod was an avid storyteller, one who knew that each of our lives makes up its own tale, with a beginning and an end.

His personal story began in Springfield, Minnesota, on Oct. 7, 1951, born to his parents Andrew Vernon "A.V." Mueller and Berneatta (Weber) (Mueller) Schmid. Rod's early life took him to Sleepy Eye and New Ulm, and he graduated from St. Paul's Lutheran School in May 1965 and from Martin Luther Academy in 1969.

He had a strong work ethic, cleaning at Martin Luther College and learning the ropes of a professional kitchen as a cook's assistant at Ebert's Chalet through high school. Rod was someone people could depend on, and was the guy his friends would go to when they had a problem or  needed help with a project. He also had a dry wit, giving life and bringing laughter to his stories.

Rod took an Auto Mechanics Course at the Mankato Area Technical Institute, but the next major chapter of his story would take him around the world. On April 1, 1971, he reported to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for Basic Training and AIT for the U.S. Army. On Oct. 1, 1971 he reported to Plantation, Vietnam as a PFC. He acquired the rank SPEC 4 about a month later. Returning to the United States in 1972, he reported to Fort Riley, Kansas and earned an Honorable Discharge on March 31, 1973.

And then he met Ginny.

Virginia "Ginny" Polk is the love of Rod's life, and the couple married in 1975. As a married couple, they lived in Redwood Falls, where Rod worked at QSP Distributing. He stayed with the company and moved to Luverne, where the couple had three children: Joshua, Jeremy, and Jessica.

After a stint in Brainerd, where Rod was part owner and operator of Anaco Water Conditioning, the family moved to New Ulm in 1990, where they put down roots. While working as a caretaker and manager for Linderhof Park Apartments, Rod started what would become his career: Rod's Painting Service, which he owned and operated until 2016. New Ulm is also where Brandon Sander became part of the family in 1995, an adopted son to Rod and Ginny and a brother to their kids.

Rod took great pride in his work and his ability to provide for his family. His clients adored him, many of them quickly becoming friends. He listened to Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson and Harry Chapin and so many others, and made sure his kids had a proper music education. And he always made sure their cars ran properly and safely. He loved Twins baseball, and shared that love with his children up until the very end of his final chapter. Rod was a lifetime member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Vietnam Veterans Association. He devoted many hours of his life volunteering in various aspects of the organizations.

Rod is survived by his wife, Ginny, their three children, Josh and Nikki of Plymouth, MN, Jeremy and Randi of New Ulm, MN, and Jessica and Andrew of Minneapolis, MN, his three grandchildren, Sydney, Alistair, and Ada; his siblings Rita (Ron) of Sterling, VA, Mike (Ellen) of St. Paul, MN, Jackie (Tom) Roesch of Courtland, MN, Dan Mueller of Minneapolis, MN, Corey (Julie) Schmid of Sauk Rapids, MN, and Chuck (Steph) of Mankato, MN; Father-in-law Don (Jeanne) Polk of Sun City, AZ, Don (Renee) Polk Jr of Granite Falls, NC, Helen (Mark) Lueder of Richfield, MN, Lester Polk of Tonopah, AZ, and Patti (Eric) Shoup of Valdosta, GA.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew "A.V." Mueller and Nita Schmid, Step-parents Lois Mueller and Eugene Schmid, Mother-in-law Donna Polk, adopted son Brandon Sander, and numerous other family members.

A public visitation is taking place Friday, July 16th from 4pm-7pm at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home (South). There will be a celebration of life at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home (South) on Saturday, July 17th at 11am with a visitation one hour prior, and a party at the New Ulm Legion following the service. Burial will take place in the New Ulm City Cemetery - Soldiers Rest Section with military honors provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Rod would like attendees to wear red, white, and/or blue, in honor of his country that he was so devoted to.

"We had fun."