Kenneth D. “Ken” Mueller

Kenneth D. “Ken” Mueller, age 74 of Elroy passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Elroy Health Service. Kenneth, son of Donald and Patricia (Shields) Mueller was born September 3, 1951, in Richland Center. He was a graduate of Reedsburg High School, Class of 1969.

Ken was a uniquely charismatic and gifted athlete in his younger years - at one time one of the best fast-pitch softball pitchers in the State. Those gifts would serve him all his life. 

Ken graduated from Madison Business College and began his career in sales – a start that would lead him back to Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle – at the time, a humble operation owned and operated by his father Don and uncles LaVerne and James. When he wasn’t enjoying the fresh curds himself, Ken was hard at work developing Carr Valley’s first retail location. Seemingly modest steps for a proud son and nephew, but they would prove to be monumental in the Company’s evolution Carr Valley has since become one of the nation’s premier cheese producers, winning national and international awards. 

Ken was a man of deep faith and he possessed an incredible ability to find joy in life’s simple things. He trusted in God, and that trust freed him from many burdens. Despite health challenges in his later years, he could always be found with a smile on his face, bringing his signature wit and charm to every conversation. He had a truly beautiful and admirable disposition – one we should all aspire to. 

Ken cherished time with family, who reciprocated that love and adoration, and he was always willing to dive deep into the Brewers, Packers, or local sports scene. If you scored 12 points in a high school basketball game in the late ‘80’s, Ken Mueller remembered it. If you had the highest average in your local bowling league in the ‘90’s, Ken Mueller knew about it. He paid attention. He invested. And he was genuinely proud of you. 

Ken was always quick with a compliment telling you that the meal you just prepared was the best he had ever eaten or how beautiful you looked each time you saw him. They were not empty words. They were said with love and deep gratitude with which he lived his life. When Ken shook your hand, he held on tight; there was love in it, and you knew he meant it.

Survivors include his siblings, Sharon Mueller of Reedsburg, Christine (Wayne) MacArdy of Mauston, Laurie (Tim) Klemm of Reedsburg and Teresa (Tom Sawyer) Mueller of Franklin; sister-in-law, Jenny Mueller of Baraboo, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. with Father John Blewett officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.