Obituary: Veda Muller

Veda Muller, 88, longtime resident of Rangely, Colo., passed away in a hospice facility in Grand Junction surrounded by her loving family. Veda was born on the family farm, south of Oberlin, Kan., the first to Jens (Tony) Anton Nielsen and Rosa May Nielsen. She was preceded in death by her husband Darrel T. Muller; her parents; two sisters, Karen Fisher and Naomi Hale; and a brother Jens Nielsen, Jr.
In her youth she was active in her church, Campfire Girls and 4-H. She won many ribbons and awards at the Decatur County Fair including a grand champion Angus bull. She worked side by side with her father on the farm and delivering milk. She loved driving their team of horses. In high school, Veda excelled in business classes and journalism. She met her husband Darrel Muller there. They were married in 1942.
During World War II, Veda and Darrel worked at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. Veda was a timekeeper, Darrel worked in tool and die, proudly assisting in the building of the Enola Gay. After the war ended they returned to Oberlin and farmed until a wheat field fire damaged Darrel’s lungs, necessitating a move to Colorado.
First living in Glenwood Springs and then moving to Rangely in 1953, Veda worked at Bestway Grocery as a checker and bookkeeper and many years as a certified municipal town clerk for the Town of Rangely.
Veda was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her ancestor, George Cress, was living in Pennsylvania during the summer of 1777 when he mustered at York, Penn. He was a first corporal in Captain Ferguson’s company; Colonel Walker’s regiment. George was wounded at the Battle of White Horse Tavern and left for dead, but he rejoined his company the next day with a bullet wound entering his left spine and exiting near his left nipple.
Veda is survived by her children: Judy (Vernon) Lee of Omaha, Neb., Michael Muller of Glade Park, Colo., Richard (JoDell) Muller of Price, Utah; Robert Muller of Lakewood, Colo., Janice Burke, Mark Muller, and Joyce (Charles) Novak all of Rangely.
Veda is survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jeffery (Sharyl) Lee and son Jared; Stacy Roberts and daughter Lauren (Lucas) Barloon; Michelle (Gabe) Pepper and daughter Grace; Darrel Muller; Laura Atkinson and children: Jacqui Mackey, Brittany (Ben) Hill, and Alex Mackey; Crystal (Beau) Bryant; Jessica Hurley and sons Dylan and Austin Smith; Cansas (Jason) Grieger and children Nicholas, Elizabeth, and Geof Hurley and Braylan (great-great); Jamie (Keith) Favorite and son Elijah Muller; Brandon (Kim) Muller and daughter Lillian.
In respect of Veda’s wishes, no service will be held. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western CO, 3090 N 12th St. Grand Junction, CO 81506.