Colleen Theresa Mueller

Colleen Theresa Mueller, 70, Park Rapids, Minnesota, formerly of Fairbanks, Alaska, peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Colleen was born on October 15, 1950 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Howard and Lucille (Kramer) Ahrens. She attended public school in Redwood Falls and graduated from the Redwood Falls High School with the Class of 1968. She then went on to attend college at Mankato State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. Right out of college, Colleen gained employment managing a Dairy Queen restaurant at the Como Park Zoo. Colleen loved adventure, she and a friend ventured to Alaska in 1982. She then gained employment doing accounting for a body shop in Fairbanks. On August 30, 1997, she was united in marriage to Roy Mueller in Fairbanks, Alaska. The two of them bought a log home on Chena Ridge which she and Roy remodeled into their dream home. Their home faced the Alaskan range, and the view went on for many miles. They would often see moose in their yard coming up to eat the flowers on the deck. They loved to four-wheel up into the mountains and would enjoy camping for a week at a time. They also enjoyed salmon and halibut fishing. When company arrived from the lower 48, Roy and Colleen enjoyed taking them to Denali National Park or out on a boat to see the Glaciers. The couple retired down in the Park Rapids area in 2015, where they could be closer to assist Roy’s aging parents. They built a new home on Portage Lake where they have made their home ever since. Colleen loved to cook, bake and take care of Roy. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Roy of Park Rapids, her brother Gregory (Theresa) Ahrens of Fairbanks, AK; four sisters: Valerie (Mitch) Benedict of Fairbanks, AK, Cynthia Slipp of Seattle, Washington, Joan (Dave) Drexler of Plymouth, Minnesota and Paula (Scott) Cuckna of Fairbanks, AK; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.