Marjorie (Marge) Jean Muller (80) died peacefully at her home in Eagle on November 18, 2009.  Marge was born on December 27, 1928 in Caldwell, Idaho, the 6^th of 9 children to James and Emma Johnstone of Marsing, Idaho. 

 

She grew up near Marsing and graduated from Homedale High School in 1946 before going on to the University of Idaho where she received her degree in Business Education with a minor in P.E.   She has fond memories of her life on the farm with her family, and shared many stories about dances at the Clatonia Dance Hall.  After college graduation she started her high school  teaching career at Melba High School and eventually taught at Fruitland, Middleton and then for many years at Meridian High School.  Marge married Eugene (Gene) Muller on July 9, 1953 in a garden ceremony on her parent’s farm.  Marge and Gene ran a successful farming operation between Eagle and Star where they raised livestock and feed and were involved in many community activities including 4H and FFA.  Marge was secretary of the Middleton Mill Irrigation Company for many years.  She also cherished  her high school business students,  where in 1962 she took one of her typing students to Washington DC where they won the National Typing Championship.  Her main love and occupation was homemaking and raising her family.  She was a liberated woman before such a thing existed; from working on the farm to cooking for farm workers to having a teaching career, she still found time to raise her family and provide a wonderful home. She ran a successful pig farrowing and lambing  operation, tending for those animals in need on the floor of her bathroom.   Marge enjoyed cooking, including canning her own fruits and vegetable from her extensive garden, making wonderful pies, sewing as she made many of the clothes her children wore growing up, knitting and crocheting as well as quilting and pillow making.  She evolved into the neighborhood seamstress, mending and fixing for family and friends.  In her later years, she even taught herself to use a computer and became Internet active.  Her most important activity was watching her grandchildren and all of her nieces’ and nephews’ children participate in sporting activities;  her refrigerator was a collage of family activities.  In addition she loved teasing her “favorite” son-in-law and would spend a great deal of time trying outwit his pranks.  Marge is preceded in death by her parents and 6 of her brothers and sisters, Loretta Johnstone and James Johnstone Homedale, Johnny Johnstone of Nampa,  Mae Christensen of Tillamock, OR,  Evelyn Gaviola of Marsing  and Carroll Johnstone of Homedale.  She is survived by her eldest brother Andrew Johnstone of Charlottesville, VA and her youngest brother Stowell Johnstone of Anchorage, AL.  Marge is also survived by her husband Gene their three children Margene Muller of Meridian, Darlene and Clint Travis of Eagle and Eldon and Ceil Muller of Orlando, FL and 4 grandchildren: Sean, Allison and Ty Travis and Nathan Muller, and one great-grandchild Zander Travis.  A viewing will be held Monday, November 23 from  5:00-7:00 pm at the Accent Funeral Home in Meridian.  Grave side service will be held at the Star Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Tuesday November 24^th.  The family would like to invite friends and family to a celebration of Marge’s life at the BanBury Golf Club on November 24^th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.   As an alternative to flowers, the family asks for consideration to the Gene and Marge Muller Family Scholarship Fund for the Meridian FFA by sending donations to the Meridian FFA Alumni Chapter at 1900 Pine Street Meridian, ID  83642.  The family would like to thank all neighbors, friends and family for their heartfelt outpouring of support during this difficult time.

Sender's Name: Marvin and Jodi King

Aunt Marge, you will be missed greatly! We are so thankful of the time we got to spend with you at the reunion. I will hold your pillow with honor. Sympathy goes out to all my aunts, uncles and cousins for this great loss. i love you all.....

 

Sender's Name: Dwonch Family

We would like to give our condolences to the muller family. Us kids have alot of great memories you created at your farm. God Bless! Our prayers are with you during this time of mourning.

 

Sender's Name: Marie Kuenzli

I am so sorry for your loss. I always admired Marge. She was one in a million.

 

Sender's Name: Heike and Rudi Hackel

We are very sad about the death. On the other side we are very happy to meet her in june. She was a very friendly and nice lady. We wish you all power you need to overcome the tragic lost of this beloved lady.Heike and Rudi Hackel (Germany)

 

Sender's Name: Rosy & Gene Birch

Our deepest sympathy to her family in their loss of a loved one.

 

Sender's Name: Ali Crane

Margene, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family, especially your father are doing ok. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers at ISU.

 

Sender's Name: Paul Keene

My deepest condolences to the Muller family. What great memories I hold for my "favorite" MHS- ('60) teacher and friend.What a wonderful lady.

 

Sender's Name: Hal Rossow
Marge was not only my teacher but both she and Gene became friends. We have kept in touch over the years and Marge attended at least one of my high school class reunions. In May 1966 (my Meridian High School graduation year) Marge got me entered as a regional contestant and we went to Washington, DC to compete in the National Typing Championship. We stayed with her brother and sister-in-law Andy and Erma. Because of their generous hospitality in providing us food, lodging, and transportation, we stayed nearly a week. Andy and Erma took time off work and drove us all over -- we got a tour of the White House; we toured the Capitol building; we went to Arlington National Cemetery, including the Custis-Lee mansion, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and JFK's grave site with the eternal flame; we saw the Declaration of Independence; we went to the Lincoln Memorial; we went to Mount Vernon to see George Washington's home, and we spent two days walking through buildings at the Smithsonian Institute. I remember the "Spirit of St. Louis" suspended from the ceiling and wondered how such a tiny aircraft could have flown across the Atlantic Ocean. That trip was truly an awesome educational experience outside the classroom that few students are able to do. Thanks to Marge, Andy, and Erma, it was a great experience in my lifetime. We did it all -- including WINNING the National Typing Championship! God Bless everyone.

 

Sender's Name: Kim Boyack

Marge will be greatly missed by the Herridge-Malott-Boyack families. I have fond memories of the Mullers joining the Herridges for many late night card games. Marge was a hard working woman and a good neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene and the kids. May you all be comforted in the memories that she created for your wonderful family.