James Wilbur Muller

James W. Muller (Jim) was born August 3, 1944 in Fremont, Nebraska to Wilbur and Eunice (Moeller) Muller. Jim grew up in Bennington, NE where he attended school and played sports. He pitched and played 1st base on the Bennington Midget Baseball team, of which his Dad “Bill” was the coach. This team won a State Championship, the first championship of this kind for the town of Bennington. He went on to play basketball, football, baseball and ran track in high school from which he graduated in 1962. Jim earned a triple major from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont in Business, Economics, and Education. While in college and throughout his life, Jim was active in a variety of sports. He pitched for the Dodge County League baseball teams through the age of 28. Jim thoroughly enjoyed camaraderie and had a competitive spirit. Shortly after college Jim was an underwriter at Mutual of Omaha. Then with his first wife, Carol, he built a successful Amway business, becoming Nebraska’s first Amway "Diamond" Direct Distributors. Jim later went on to enjoy a career in real estate with Century 21 Realty, Coldwell Banker, followed by many years with Don Peterson & Associates Realty in Fremont. Jim was active with the Fremont Board of Realtors, a devoted member and usher of Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, NE, and often rang the bell for charities, such as Salvation Army. Jim enjoyed family fishing trips to Minnesota, traveling, going to movies, playing cards, and a relaxing evening at restaurants with outdoor patios, such as Rick’s Boatyard Café. Golf became his life-long passion, which he thoroughly enjoyed with good friends. A few years ago, he was thrilled to have a hole in one. He had many great matches with Keith, Ed, George and Fred. He adored his four daughters: Tammy, Teresa, Tanya, and Jordyn, and cherished watching them grow into the beautiful women they are today. He is remembered for being loyal, caring, honest, spiritual, positive, dedicated, competitive, funny, joyful, and easy-going. Jim lived by the idea that he wanted to meet people with a smile, and leave them smiling when he left. Jim passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the Nebraska Medical Center at the age of 68. He is preceded in death by his father Wilbur, and brother-in-law Bill Grant. Jim is survived by his mother Eunice Muller, of Elkhorn, sisters and brothers-in-law: Dianne and Curt Frye of Wayne, NE, Marcia Grant of Elkhorn, and Connie and Ed Rockwell of Yutan, NE, as well as his daughters and sons-in-law: Tammy and Rick Croson of Arlington, NE, Teresa and Eric Sauer of St. Louis, MO, Tanya and Chris Simmons of Omaha, and Jordyn Muller of Elkhorn, and 6 grandchildren: R.E.O., Allyson, Amber, Courtney, Jake, and Lauren.

James Wilbur Muller

August 3, 1944 - March 5, 2013