Maria Barbara Mueller

Maria Mueller passed on at age of 103, with family by her side. She was born in Vienna, Austria on November 15, 1919. She met John Mueller, M.D. in Innsbruck, Austria while on summer vacation. They married in 1938, the year Adolf Hitler annexed and occupied Austria. Dr. John (Ivan) Mueller practiced in Budapest, Hungary and upon marriage, Maria moved to Budapest. There, two children were born, Edina and Karl(Charles). She worked as a physician's assistant but her dream was to become a physician. Sadly, Maria and children fled Budapest with the clothes on their backs as the Russian Army entered Hungary and closed the border. It was a bitterly cold night around Christmas and their transport was an open stock truck. They resided with her parents in Vienna. John followed later. Shortly after, in June 1945, a boy Fritz (Fredrick) was born. Five years later they moved to Schladming/Pichl, a farm area, where John practiced medicine.
John's dream was to come to America, the land of freedom and opportunity. In 1957 Immigration Papers were granted and they were sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Salem. There they set up residence and Maria, a week later, gained employment as a nurse in the Salem Children's Clinic. She later became the Allergy Specialist for G. Schunk,M.D. and advanced to Head Nurse. She retired in 1984. Until John's death in 1992, they travelled the western USA and Canada enjoying the outdoors and hiking. She loved to drive and often drove off alone to adventure. She as well travelled internationally to family in Austria and with her sister, Eva Hitzker Nessizius who passed 3 years ago.
She is survived by 3 children, Edina Pepper(St. Petersburg, FL); Charles Mueller(Salem) and Dr. Fred Mueller(Corvallis/Sisters). She enjoyed and loved 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Celebration of Life.
Rest Lawn Funeral Home, West Salem
Saturday, June 24 12:00(Noon)

Donations in Maria's name are warmly accepted for Edward Takarski Home, Salem.