Obituary for Eugene Muller (1927-2021) – Eagle, ID

Eagle-Gene was born on April 20, 1927 in Boise, the son of immigrants Otto and Marie Muller, a Swiss milkman and German maid. Except for a short stay in the Navy at the end of World War II, he lived and worked on his family farm between Eagle and Star until his death at the age of 94. He attended one room school at Liberty School until it merged with Star, which subsequently merged with Meridian High School, which he graduated in 1945. On July 9, 1953, he married Marjorie Johnstone at a garden wedding in Homedale, ID.

Never a day went by when Gene did not visit neighbors to exchange words of wisdom and “BS”. We always wondered how many stories he really had; We heard the same many times towards the end of life. He was an extremely hard worker and taught these children (Margene, Darlene, and Eldon) this ethic. The neighbors at the time were like a family helping each other to succeed. On many summer days, Marge would cook farm-size dinners for “the men” at lunchtime while they helped each other with the harvest. Bill Frost, Fred Speilman, and Dad were great neighbors and friends who spun together every harvest season. It was always a day full of laughter and colorful language. Dad had a knack for visiting neighbors to help with chores or needs. Strangers came to the door and needed fuel, a tractor pulled out of a ditch, or just a sample of Mama’s fine cuisine. Everyone was specially accommodated when it came to helping out with his John Deere tractor, which he would have been buried in if he could. Dan Allen and Johnny Johnstone became staples in the house, helping Dad with his farming and business with custom rakes and balers. Neighbors Ralph and Barbara Wilder’s family (Steve, Doug, and Mike) were like his children, and they kept an eye on him as he matured. Bill Phillips and Vick Wolfe teamed up in a break-even company to pour fools and build sheds, at least they told us they did. In the end, it took a village to live independently for 94 years. I think he came back from the neighbors as much as he gave. His two greatest friends at the height of his life were son-in-law Clint Travis and adopted son Dave Hayes. He loved spending time with them and helping with their projects in his woodworking and machine shops. They also reveled in his stories and jokes.

He and Marge were lifelong advocates of quality education, striving to ensure their children and grandchildren could afford college, which was an expectation. Gene has always been active in leading youth development programs like Star PTA, Boy Scouts, 4H and FFA with activities that extended well beyond his own children’s years. He served as the President of the Star PTA; He was one of the founding members of Meridian’s FFA Advisory Board and for many years provided his expertise, agricultural and personal resources to the FFA youth. He was awarded the FFA Honorary State Farmer Degree. He was always present at the Southwest Idaho State Fair Livestock Auction, bidding, buying animals, and visiting old friends. Gene was a 70-year-old member of Boise # 2 and Meridian # 47 Masonic Lodge and achieved the level of Master Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine. One of his greatest passions was water rights for farms. He served in the Ada County No. 2 Drainage District for over 30 years helping to ensure the proper maintenance and design of the district’s drainage during the explosion of development in the valley.

The greatest joy in Gene’s life was family and being around children. He loved playing pranks on the neighborhood kids, participating in all kinds of games (especially cards), and laughing and teasing about winners and losers. He enjoyed the extended family gatherings of Johnstone and Muller and appreciated the interaction with his many nieces and nephews (he called it heckling). Nobody would have thought that he danced with mom in his prime. He always looked forward to big parties where he could practice his second greatest passion, the art of BS. Gene practiced this art several times a week at the Star and Eagle Senior Centers, where he played pinochle with a dedicated group of competitors “to win their dollars back”. He also enjoyed practicing his art at the monthly Swiss lunches with the descendants and newcomers of the small Swiss community in the Boise Valley. Until the end he was a farmer. He always planted and tended a large garden so that he could shower products to friends and neighbors. Sweet corn has always been an important part of his endeavor, whether it was sold at his street stall in his early years or put on cards for all of his older friends. After his farmer career ended, Gene loaned his pig factories to local 4H and FFA members. He loved interacting with them during their visits to care for and feed their animals.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (Johnstone) and two sisters: Gunda Post of Boise and Amy Ciampa of Modesto, CA. He is survived by his brother Leo Muller of Valley Center, CA. Daughters: Margene Muller from Meridian; Darlene and Clint Travis from Eagle; and his son Eldon and Ceil Muller of Orlando, FL. Gene has 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: Sean and his son Zander Travis from Boise; Allison and her husband Jake and their children Michael and Jackson Dahl of Vancouver, Washington; Nathan and his wife Savannah Muller of Smyrna, GA; and Ty and his wife Amanda and their children Noah and Ava Travis of Eagle. Family of choice are Dave and Robin Hayes and their children: Bryn, Kallen and Cooper; Dan and Robin Allen and their children: Tracy and Pat; and Josh Wilder.

We’d like to thank the St. Luke’s Hospice team: Rhea, Amanda, Tami, Joan and many more, as well as the Exceptional Care team: Jody, Tim, Lisa, Phyllis, Elizabeth, Mary Michael; and night buddy Will for their compassionate support to dad and our family at the end of his life. A small funeral service will be held on Friday, May 21 at 3:00 am in Star Cemetery, followed by a gathering until 7:30 am at Honalee Farm 7010 W. Moon Valley Rd. Eagle, formerly Otto Muller Farm Gene grew up on. A celebration of Gene’s life begins at 5:30 am. The family invites everyone who wishes to attend to join them. Dinner is offered. Please feel comfortable in your dress. As an alternative to flowers, donations to the Muller Family Memorial Scholarship can be made through Meridian FFA Alumni (Dan Sample 12080 W. State Street, Star ID 83669), Idaho Youth Ranch, or your preferred charity. Papa lived a life “good enough for who it was”. Memories can be made for Gen’s family at www.AccentFuneral.com. The services are overseen by Accent Funeral Home and Cremation, Meridian.

Published by the Idaho Press Tribune May 18-19, 2021.