Carole Mueller

OHIO, Ill. — Carole L. Mueller, 75, of Ohio, Ill., died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, at her home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Carole Lynn Sanderson was born on Nov. 29, 1940, in DeKalb, the daughter of Charles and Corella (Knudson) Sanderson. She graduated from Malta High School and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and began work as a secretary at Northern Illinois University immediately after.

She was united in marriage to Craig Leslie on Oct. 14, 1961. They later divorced. She was married to Richard Mueller on Sept. 2, 1989, at the First Lutheran Church in Geneseo.

Carole worked as a travel consultant and then as the secretary at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Ohio, an active member in WELCA, the Rebecca Circle and the church choir.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Mueller of Ohio, Ill.; three sons, Mark (Traci) Leslie of Hartland, Wis., Lance (Jennifer) Leslie of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Brett (Heather) Leslie of Round Rock, Texas; seven grandchildren, David Leslie, Elizabeth Leslie, Jack Leslie, Henry Leslie, Charlie Leslie, Luke Leslie and Piper Leslie; four nieces; three stepchildren, Melanie, Megan and Jarod; and three stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents and one sister, Diane Krans.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at the First Lutheran Church of Ohio with the Rev. Gene Vincent, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Ohio, Ill.

Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut.

A memorial has been established to the First Lutheran Church of Ohio.

Condolences may be left at www.garlandfuneralhome.com.