Jo Muller

Jo Ann (McCall) Muller
Jo Ann Muller, 85, longtime resident of Hibbing died Saturday, January 10, 2015 at home with her family by her side.  She was born on January 17, 1929 to George Edward and Madeline (Mahoney) McCall in Saint Paul, MN.  In 1935 her family moved to Clairmont, MN where she attended school thru the 8th grade.  In 1943 the family moved to Saint Paul where Jo Ann went to 9th grade at Marie Sanford Jr. High School. From 1944 to 1946 she attended Villa Marie Boarding School in Frontemac MN, and in 1947 she graduated from Centeral High School in Saint Paul, MN.  From 1947 to 1950 she attended and graduated from St. Catherine’s College of Saint Paul in their nursing program.  From 1950 -53, Jo Ann worked in the OB delivery room at St. Joseph Hospital.  Jo Ann married Dr. John Muller on June 13, 1953 in St. Paul, MN and later they moved to Buffalo, NY.  From 1953 to 1954, Jo Ann worked at Buffalo General Hospital surgical floor and cared for Polio victims.  She later moved to Hibbing in 1956 and raised her four children.
Jo Ann was involved in many volunteer activities and served on many boards, notably the following; General Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1962-present, and served as their president two times, and served as 8th District President two times as well.  She was a member of Council of Catholic Women and was their past president.  She organized the local chapter of MCCL and was active in the schools and at the county fair promoting the sanctity of life.  She was an active Republican Party member.  She was elected as Senate, District, and Platform committee member, and chairwoman and delegate to the National conventions in Detroit, Dallas, and Washington D.C.  She was also a member and past president of the Hibbing Historical Society, and the Sons of Norway.  Jo Ann was the past manager of Hull Rust Mine Tourist site for eight years, and a past member and president of the Hospital Auxiliary serving in the surgical waiting room.  She was also a member and past chair of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association fund drives.  She served as Bazaar Chairwoman for the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Hibbing.  She was active in the Sleeping Giant Boy Scouts of America, serving as cub scout leader, membership chair and on the district committee.  She was awarded the “Silver Beaver” for her years of service.  She was also a past board member of the Pregnancy Life Care Center.  Jo Ann was a caring individual who throughout her marriage with John, took in foster children, troubled teens, exchange students and two law enforcement students who needed a home while attending school.
She is survived by her four children, Timothy John (Christine) Muller, Hibbing, Terrence Michael (Ellen) Muller, Minneapolis, MN, Theodore James Muller, Rexburg, ID, and Madeline Eileen (James) Kochevar, Marquette, MI, siblings, Mary Lou McCall, Santa Barbara, CA, Idereen “Pat” (Lloyd) Moosbrugger, Burnsville, MN, George Edward (Indhi Joseph) McCall, Edina, MN, John Michael McCall, and Terrance Francis (Nancy) McCall, Burnsville, MN, six grandchildren, Carissa (Travis) Thomas, Fargo, ND, John Muller, Hibbing, Elizabeth (Michael) Gordon, Boston, MA, Claire Muller, Minneapolis, MN, McCall Kochevar and Jack Kochevar, both of Marquette, MI, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Madeline, husband, Dr. John Muller in 2012, and her sister, Madeline Rae Hickey.
Funeral services for Jo Ann will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Waweru will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing.   Memorials are preferred to the following organizations;  the American Cancer Society, Northstar Hospice, or “Options for Women”-formerly known as the Pregnancy Lifecare Center.  The family would like to thank all the Hospice workers that gave such excellent care to Jo Ann during this time.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

---