Craig R. "Lucky" Mueller
He gained his nickname through his friends who said, "He brought luck to them to have him around."
Craig was born Dec. 29, 1947, in McGregor. He grew up in Garnavillo and graduated from Garnavillo High School. He was active in sports, lettering in basketball and baseball. He belonged to FFA, showing alongside his brothers with his Brown Swiss cattle and winning many ribbons and bells. He was raised and worked hard alongside his brothers and sisters on the family dairy farm. After high school he attended Upper Iowa.
Moving to Cedar Rapids he worked at Wilson and Co. - Farmstead Packing House for 20 years in refrigeration maintenance until the doors shut in 1990. He retired from Iowa Glass in 2004 due to the onset of cancer.
Craig played fast pitch for Wilson and Co. Farmstead Industrial league team, taking the city-wide championship in 1970. He played slow pitch in the city league; one team for sure was the Southside Tavern. He excelled in bowling, darts and pool. He loved to play euchre in tournaments around town. He was a wonderful singer and enjoyed Karaoke.
He fought the good fight against cancer for 12 years.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Harry and Ivy Mueller; his brother, David, and baby sister, MaryAnn. He was one of ten children.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Patricia; his two sons, Dr. Chad (Tasha) Mueller, Clint (fiance, Grace Kramer) Mueller; his two stepsons, Jerry (Shelly) Hathcock and Patrick (Tara) Mulhern; five grandchildren, Reed, Gram, Evan, Paxton and Avea; siblings, Bruce and Bonnie of Iowa City, Kay and Lynn Ihde and Kathy and Wayne Helle, all of Garnavillo, Sue and Lee Connell of Cedar Rapids; Amy Wrightsman of Decorah, Heide and Charles Berns of Iowa City and Dennis Mueller of DeWitt.
He was an absolute fan until the end of the Green Bay Packers. He rooted for the Cubs but was locked into the Braves, his favorite team.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of life will be held in Cedar Rapids. Wear a baseball cap to honor Lucky.