Dean Mueller

1949 - 2024

Dean Mueller

Dean Charles Mueller was born on February 10, 1949, in Hartington, NE, to Madeline Rolfes Mueller and Edmund Mueller. He lived on the farm there until midyear 2nd grade when the family moved to Omaha. Most of his schooling was at Holy Name grade school and high school, graduating from high school there in 1967.

His youth was busy with a paper route and playing in many sports: baseball, football, and basketball. His left-handedness made him a leading pitcher on baseball teams in his youth. Basketball was a love and a top skill, with the game of his career being when Holy Name high school played Cathedral high school.

Like many in the 60s, Dean loved cars! He had a hopped up '57 Chevy in gun-metal grey, which he raced in Omaha, winning several trophies. This racing was cut short by a call to service in the Army and time at White Sands Missile Range and in Vietnam. On his return to Nebraska, he used his Army earnings to purchase a rag-top '65 Corvette and he drove off to school at the University of Nebraska Lincoln to study electrical engineering.

At UNL he met the love of his life, Carolyn. They were married mid-college, wanting to not wait to start their life adventure together. After getting their degrees, the couple moved to Omaha, where they had a wonderful life adventure of raising five children together, Mary, Lori, Lisa, Sara, and Alex, encompassing a family life of faith, education, holidays, activities and travel. Dean coached all of his children on soccer and other teams.

Dean started his career in the power industry at OPPD. While working there he also earned his MBA degree at UNO. His career focus evolved into renewable/sustainable energy and the possibilities for Nebraska of maximizing the harvesting of wind power. His realization of that and his proposals for big wind energy and his huge efforts to make that happen midst current modus operandi, did come to fruition with several very large wind farms in the state. Dean was the impetus, the founder, of extensive wind energy in Nebraska. Dean was given many accolades at the Nebraska Wind and Solar Conferences. Said of his efforts: "If wind is to Nebraska as oil is to Saudi Arabia, then Dean Mueller is Lawrence of Nebraska."

Dean and Carolyn took their family on many incredible trips throughout the U.S., from coast to coast, to the majesty of the National Parks, and to the magic of Disney World. Dean and Carolyn, as a couple, also did a wonderful extensive trip through Europe, which was a fun highlight in their life adventure story. Celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary with family gave them much joy.

Dean was a can-do engineer. He was a devoted husband and father, a strong and steady rock for the family, a genuine calm and caring person, interested in everyone around him, a man of great character. He will be greatly missed.

Dean is survived by wife, Carolyn Bogner Mueller; daughters, Mary (Dave) Brennan, Lori (Pete) Pirsch, Lisa Mueller, Sara (Tony) Ruma; son, Alex (Kim) Mueller; grandchildren, Gabe (Margie), Natalie (Luke), Kelly, Reese, Grant, Rory, Ava, Beau, Max, Allen, Nolan, Rocco, Caroline, Luke and George; brothers, Jim (Kathy) Mueller, Randy Mueller, Rick (Emma) Mueller, and Mark Mueller; sisters, Shari Robbins, Kathi Mueller, and Janet (Mike) Bond.

Preceded by parents, Edmund and Madeline Mueller; grandson, Nathaniel Brennan; brothers, Kelly Mueller and Jerry Mueller.

VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 1, 2024, with PRAYER SERVICE at 7 p.m., at Roeder Mortuary. FUNERAL MASS: 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 2, 2024, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 14330 Eagle Run Dr., Omaha, NE.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc.

108th Street Chapel, 2727 N. 108th St.,

Omaha, NE.

402-496-9000 | www.RoederMortuary.com