Kathleen “Kathie” Mueller, 85, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023, suddenly due to cardiac arrest. She was born January 27, 1938, to Leo and Cecilia Didier. Kathie graduated from Taft High School in Chicago, Illinois with the Class of 1955. She married Joseph W. Mueller Sr. and had three children.
Kathie lived in Des Plaines, Illinois for many years. She had worked as a gym teacher before beginning a 3-decade career with Osco Drug. Kathie also volunteered for the Des Plaines Food Pantry and was active at her church. She loved all things sports, golfing for years, and umpiring for many years for the park and school baseball and softball programs. Her competitive streak continued into heated games of Scrabble, and more recently, to talking to the tv during Jeopardy. Kathie moved to Oconto, Wisconsin in 2022, and renewed her passion for fishing. The faithful Cubs and Bears fan recently warmed to the Packers, but don’t tell her Illinois friends.
Family was everything to Kathie. She deeply loved her two daughters, Ruth Ann Juern and Grace (Mary Ann) Barbee; her grandchildren, Glenn Juern Jr., Jessica Juern, Meghan McDullin, Martha Mueller, Andrew Leach, Nicole Leach and Michael Leach. She was one of twelve siblings, the only ones remaining – Thomas and John Didier and Susan (Dick) Rowland. A sister-in-law Lois Didier also survives. Kathie will be missed by many friends and relatives.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Joseph W. Mueller Jr., and eight siblings, Leo Didier, Leonard Didier, Irvin Didier, Lillian Didier, Maggie Ott, Robert Didier, Patricia Wright and Stephan Didier. She is united in eternal life with her best friend Delores.
Kathie was born again and followed the Lord with her whole heart. Her faith was evident in how she lived her life, modeling the teaching of her Saviour.
Friends and family will gather at Zion Christian Church, 382 S. Mount Prospect Road, Des Plaines, IL on Monday, July 24th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Please bring a good story to share at Kathie’s Celebration of Life to be held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Zion Christian Church, 382 S. Mount Prospect Road, Des Plaines, IL. She will be entombed with her son at All Saints Mausoleum, 700 N. River Rd., Des Plaines. Proko-Wall Funeral Home is assisting the family and online condolences may be sent to www.prokowall.com.