Esther Lavina Muller

Esther L. Muller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died at her home January 31. She was 94.

Esther was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. With her family, she moved south to Missouri and later to Singer, Louisiana, where she graduated from high school. She was one of six children – four girls and two boys. She loved working outside in the garden and fields, rather than staying in the house dusting, ironing and cooking. Her brother Jerry told how good she was at tossing a baseball. One year she won an event by throwing a ball farther than all the boys at a district meet.

After graduating she moved to New Orleans and began nurses training at Charity Hospital School of Nursing where she met a young medical student, Charles D. Muller, Jr. On the night before Charles’ graduation, February 17, 1942, he pawned his microscope to buy a ring. He borrowed a car and they eloped. To save money, she returned to live in the dorm, keeping their marriage a secret until the end of the school year. They moved to San Francisco where Charles served his internship in the U.S. Public Health Service. Later they were stationed in Everett, Washington, and in Pennsylvania. When World War II ended and Charles was discharged from the service, they chose to return to the Pacific Northwest where he started a general medical practice in Bremerton.

While Charles was serving, Esther, too, was busy. The couple had six children in just eight years. In 1951 they bought an old house on Rocky Point Road. Esther cooked all the family meals. She cleaned, ironed and mended clothes. She monitored homework, taxied kids to and from swimming, piano and dance lessons. She attended school conferences, joined the PTA, and at the same time took an active role in her husband’s medical society activities during the years he served in county, state and national medical offices. In 1958 they built a new house on the site of the old. Esther loved to entertain, and the new house was built for entertaining. She served up favorite recipes from the south, including a seafood stew called bouillabaisse, to a dozen or more guests. Eating the stew was quite a task, since it included unshelled clams and crab legs. Esther handed out bibs and crab-picking forks and was considered quite the cook!

In 1949, Charles’ father came to live with the family following a serious illness. Pop was a part of the family for the next 12 years.

In 1968, Esther was awarded a Golden Acorn award by the Bremerton School District PTA, marking her nearly 20 years of service to the city’s schools. “See what having six children will get you?” she said when she received her award.

She worked as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, organizing and participating in fundraising crusades. During the 1970s she was one of the founders of the Discovery Shop, Kitsap County Cancer Society’s thrift store. This pioneering effort led chapters in other counties to establish similar thrift stores. She continued to serve on the store’s board of directors for more than 25 years.

She was also active in Girl Scout programs, PEO sisterhood, Kitsap County Medical Auxiliary and YMCA swimming programs and building campaign.

In later years, Esther enjoyed outfitting and traveling in their motor homes and pleasure boats. After Charles suffered a major stroke in 1987, Esther became the driver, learning to handle their 32-foot motor home with skill. She drove to and from Arizona each winter.

After Charles died in 2002, Esther began volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul food bank in Bremerton. She continued working for the group until her death.

For her 90th birthday in 2011, her family celebrated with a huge party. She especially loved skits and readings from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband Charles and daughter Nancy Friedrich. She is survived by her children Charles “Chuck” Muller (Eileen), Liz Lauzen (Ken), Donna Copley (Pete Simpson), Pam Campbell (Roy), and Barrie Muller (Jeri), as well as 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

At Esther’s request, a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Vincent de Paul, or your favorite charity.