Bertha Mueller

Bertha “Betty” Mueller was born October 1, 1916 in Obewill, Switzerland to Johannes and Maria (Ast) Treuthardt. Betty grew up and attended school in Switzerland, where she learned to sew. Betty met John Mueller at a dance, and the couple was married in October 1941, and to this union, five children were born; Liselotte, twins Niklaus and Ferdinand, Victor and Betty. John dreamed of moving to America, and a friend of the family sponsored them so that the young family of 7 could start a life in the U.S.A. They traveled by ship to America with their savings in John’s pillowcase. Their savings was robbed when left unattended, so the family began life in America with almost nothing. Betty and John first settled on a farm in Ohio where they farmed. They then started a Swiss cheese factory in Pennsylvania. John then had an opportunity to relocate to Fremont, Nebraska in 1962 and work for a trucking company, so the family moved to Nebraska, where Betty did clerical and bookkeeping work for the trucking business. In the 1960’s, Betty and John owned the Longbranch Bar in Leshara, and Betty worked as the bartender. She also ran the United States Post Office Branch in Leshara from her home for over 30 years, retiring in September 1999. Betty enjoyed gardening, knitting, sewing, bowling, and loved animals. She was talented enough that she would sew clothes for her children, based off of something she saw at the store. She bowled in leagues for many years, and even has a pin from achieving a 500 series. She was a Nebraska Cornhusker and Baltimore Raven fan, and could be found watching football or the news in her favorite recliner. She could speak and write in both English and German (from growing up near the Swiss/German border), and had a high-pitched German accent. Betty will be remembered as an independent, giving, and frugal woman, who loved her family. Betty died at her home in Leshara, Nebraska on September 20, 2016, just 10 days before her 100th birthday. She was preceded in death by husband John Mueller, son Ferdinand “Fuzz” Mueller, and 6 brothers and sisters. Betty is survived by her children; Liselotte “Liz”, and husband Harry Fette of Hubbard, Ohio, Niklaus Mueller of Leshara, Victor and wife, Virginia Mueller of Fremont, NE, and Betty “Sam” Mueller of Leshara, NE, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, brother Ernst Treuthardt and sister-in-law Nelly Treuthardt, both of Switzerland.

Bertha Mueller

October 1, 1916 - September 20, 2016