Joseph Willard Mueller of Elkader

Joseph Willard Mueller, age 59, of Elkader, Iowa, passed away on June 15, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He faced his disease with a strong faith and a positive attitude that was an inspiration to all.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 330 S 1st St, Elkader, IA 52043, with Father Paul Baldwin presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 19, 2026, with a 4:00 p.m. Rosary, a 4:30 p.m. Vigil, and visitation from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 330 S 1st St, Elkader, IA 52043; visitation will also be held prior to the service on June 20th, from 8:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. at the church.

Joe was born on August 30, 1966, to Willard and Ellen (Hamlett) Mueller at Central Community Hospital in Elkader. Joe went to and graduated from Central Community School in 1984. In January 1986, Joe met Denise, the love of his life, on a blind date. Joe went on to marry Denise Marie Franzen on July 16, 1988, and they spent more than 40 years together. The two of them created a family together, raising three boys: Zachary, Nicholas and Bradley.

Growing up Joe enjoyed milking cows and working on the farm. Joe ended up working 38 years for the secondary roads department. Joe started by running a motor grader for four years and then on to the dozer. Joe took pride in the improvements he made with the dozer over a 24 year span. He enjoyed plowing snow and made sure his patrons made it to and fro safely. He met a lot of interesting people throughout his years as a public servant. Joe was also an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for 59 years.

Joe learned an important lesson from his dad: Take pride in what you grow - whether it be crops or children.

Joe treasured the National Parks System. Joe and Denise took many trips across the United States to enjoy the natural wonders the Parks held. He loved hunting, fishing and pontooning with his sister and brother-in-law on the Mississippi. But above all, it was his family he cherished the most. Attending many wrestling meets, baseball games and numerous concerts. He continued this with his grandchildren, supporting them at their various activities. He loved taking day trips to caves, playgrounds, parks etc. with his beautiful and precious grandchildren. Joe was very proud of what he and Denise had created. Joe will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him. He was a caring, faith-filled man who always put others before himself.

Surviving Joe is his beloved wife Denise; children Zach (Kate) Mueller of Guttenberg, IA, along with their children Maeve, Jett, Rhys and Hayes, Nick (Alison) Mueller of Elkader, IA, and their son Maxxwell and Brad Mueller of Elkader, IA, siblings Dave (Linda) Mueller, Jeff Mueller, Diane (Bill) Erickson, Tim (Barb) Mueller, Matt (Cindy) Mueller, sister-in-law Debbie (Paul) Dietzenbach, brother-in-law Dan (Josephine) Franzen, and mother-in-law RoseMary Franzen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who cherished their Uncle Joe.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Ellen Mueller, father-in-law LaVerne Franzen, sister-in-law Judy Mueller and great niece Miya Erickson.