Patricia Ann Mueller

Patricia Ann Mueller was born October 12, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, to William J. and Madeline (Saling) Laux. She passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at her home in La Mirada, California, surrounded by her family.

Pat, as she was affectionately known, was the second child of four. She grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended Holy Angels Academy. She met the love of her life, Robert Mueller, and they were married on September 12, 1953, in Minneapolis. Pat and Bob spent their first years in Richfield, Minnesota, where they started their family. In 1961, the young family, including Robert Jr., Rick, Michael, and Mary, moved to La Mirada, California. Martha, Margaret and Joe eventually came along to complete the family.

Professionally, Pat chose to pursue a career in the dental field. She worked as a chairside assistant and as a hygienist, eventually going on to teach Coronal Polish at Cerritos College and USC. She later opened and operated Professional Connection, an employment center offering both temp and permanent positions for all types of dental positions. Her commitment to her profession included 20+ years of service as General Secretary for the Southern California Dental Assistants Association.

Pat was devout Catholic and attended Beatitudes of Our Lord Church in La Mirada since its founding. She was a member of the Whittier Rio Hondo Kiwanis Club, a community service organization, and The Friends of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, a volunteer nonprofit organization which supports the programming of the Theatre. Socially, Pat and Bob enjoyed the La Mirada Gadabouts, a local group that would often take field trips to places of interest. She was also one of the Rio Hondo Rowdies, a social group comprised of dental professionals.

Having a wonderfully giving heart, Pat worked as a volunteer at the La Mirada Community Hospital gift shop, the Whittier Police Department, the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and at her church. While with the PD, Pat was honored with the distinction of Volunteer of the Year. Not only was she generous with her time, but also her resources. She contributed to many charities.

Pat was passionate about everything she was involved in. Above all else, however, came her family. She was very involved in her childrens school activities, such as Band Boosters, working snack shack at football games and other fundraisers, and so on. While her son Bob was serving in the Air Force, his unit recognized her as Mother of the Year. Another family memory is of the many summer road trips--all NINE of the family in the Ford Country Squire station wagon--driving straight through to Minnesota to spend time with all the aunts, uncles, grandparents & cousins. Pat was a very proud mother and grandmother. She loved her family dearly, and they knew it!

She is survived by five children, Rick (Gayle), Michael (Christine), Martha (Brent), Margaret and Joseph (Carmen) Mueller; siblings, William Laux, John Laux, and Margaret McCarthy; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She is now reunited with her husband, Robert; son, Robert Jr.; daughter, Mary Jensen; and granddaughter, Amy Jensen, who preceded her in death.

Viewing will take place from, 6-9pm on Friday, August 9th at Beatitudes of Our Lord Church, 13013 Santa Gertrudes Ave., La Mirada, California, with a Vigil being led at 7pm. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30am on Saturday, August 10th, also at the Church. Private interment will take place at Olive Lawn Memorial Park.