Marie Mueller

Former Grants Pass resident Marie Mueller, age 83, of Salem, died July 6, 2026 at her home.

Eleanor Marie Saunders Mueller 83 died in Salem, Oregon on July 6, 2026. Marie passed from Pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed in February of 2026. A third-generation Oregonian, Marie was born November 10, 1942, in Portland, Oregon, to Ethel Beryl and Wesley Ormond Saunders. A memorial service will be held September 5, 2026 at 10 a.m. with reception to follow at 612 NW A St. Grants Pass, OR 97526. Hull and Hull Funeral Home oversees preparations. Ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony later. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rogue Community College Foundation, 3345 Redwood Hwy., Grants Pass, OR 97527, or to the University of Oregon Foundation, 1720 E. 13th Ave., #410, Eugene, OR 97403. A resident of Grants Pass from 1965 to 2019; Mrs. Mueller moved to Salem in 2019 to be nearer to her family. A child of World War II, Marie grew up in Divide and Cottage Grove, Oregon, while her father served in the United States Army. She graduated as a valedictorian from the eighth grade at Latham Elementary in 1956 and as salutatorian from Cottage Grove High School in 1960. From there, she went to the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon, graduating with a B.A. in secondary education, English, and history, and then with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (English and history) in 1965. That fall she was hired to teach junior and senior English and history, including Advanced Placement courses, at Grants Pass High School, where she taught until 1970. From 1974 until retirement in 2014, she taught at the Redwood Campus of Rogue Community College in Grants Pass: Business English, Business Communications, Technical Writing, U.S History, Western Civilization, World Civilization, English Composition, and even Penmanship. From 1979-2011 Marie served as the accreditation editor at RCC. She was advisor for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for many years and served as the Oregon Regional Coordinator for that group. Marie enjoyed walking, swimming, fitness exercises, and gardening— especially canning, freezing garden goodies, and drying and smoking the results of her husband’s hunting and fishing. She loved to read and sew and enjoyed word processing. At the UO, Marie was an active member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Marie was a member of Rainbow for Girls in high school, was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Cottage Grove Chapter #4, and of Weight Watchers. She was a member of the Wilderville Home Extension Unit (1970-80), the American Association of University Women (board secretary; newsletter editor); Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Key Women Educators (local and state offices, including state editor of The New Oregon Trail); and Job’s Daughters Bethel 13 during her daughter’s membership. Mrs. Mueller was a member of the Association for Business Communication, the American History Association, the Rogue Community College Education Association, the Oregon Education Association, and the National Education Association. After moving to Salem Marie also assisted with the Meals on Wheels program through the Senior Center for 5 years with her friend and neighbor Sarah. Marie was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband of 50 years, Charles Wesley Mueller, and her brother Richard Saunders. She is survived by her daughter Delia (Husband Richard and son Rich), son Mark (Wife Shino and granddaughter Maya), and by her brother’s wife (Noel and nephew Wesley wife Tiffani and their son Charlie).

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