Dedicated To Helen E. Mueller

In Memory Of Emil H. Mueller

My name is John Mueller and I am a fifth-year senior in Electrical Engineering here at Kansas State University.  I am writing to tell why I believe my family should be Kansas State's 1997 Honorary Family.

The family in which I grew up was much different from the “traditional” family.  My family consisted of myself, my brother Ben who is now a sophomore at Kansas State, and my grandparents, Helen and Emil Mueller.  Shortly after my eleventh birthday, my brother and I lost both of our parents to a drunk driver.  We then moved in with our grandparents who also lived in the town of Hanover, Kansas.  Many people would not think of this as a big deal for my grandparents and many would usually focus the concern and attention on Ben and myself.  Very seldom does anyone stop to consider the sacrifice which my grandparents made to take care of us.

My grandfather, Emil Mueller, was a distinguished businessman in my home town of Hanover, Kansas.  He had left farming to start a ready-mixed concrete business.  Both my grandfather and grandmother worked hard to build up their business while raising a family of four where all of them graduated from college, three from Kansas State.  Now they were ready to retire into the home they had saved up to build.  Unfortunately they did not get to relax; after my parents' deaths, they took on the responsibility of their two grandchildren.  I cannot imagine being at retirement and suddenly taking into your home an eleven- and eight-year-old.  Not only did they completely alter their lifestyle but my grandfather came out of retirement to run the family business that he had built and that my father had been managing.  They gave up their retirement plans to take care of us.  I am not suggesting that they ever thought twice about doing it, they wanted to do it; however, their loving acceptance of their new responsibility was an enormous sacrifice.

Both of my grandparents were actively involved in the community.  My grandfather served on the school board, was president of our church council multiple times, was president of the Kansas Aggregate Producers Association twice, and was involved in Pony Express Station committees in Hanover.  My grandmother was busy with activities like “meals on wheels” and “refunding” for the church.  She even taught Sunday and vacation church school for over 40 years.  After they took on the responsibility of Ben and myself, grandmother was cooking and doing laundry for a family of four and grandfather was running the business on top of their community activities.

Taking care of two little kids and raising them might be one thing but I feel that the job which my grandparents assumed was much more.  When I was in my early teens I dealt with the loss of my parents very outwardly.  I wanted my parents back and deep inside I think that I wanted my grandparents to be my parents and there was simply no way in the world that this could happen.  They were doing a very good job, the best that they could.  At the time I did not realize it, but now I appreciate it more than ever.

One thing that I always had in my family was complete support.  When I decided to go to Kansas State and major in engineering I had both of my grandparents backing my decision.  I can be happy to say that I was never pressured into going into college but in our home I learned the value and importance of an education.  Just knowing how hard my grandmother had to work during the depression to put herself through college really makes me appreciate the wonderful situation that I have.

When I was growing up I remember looking at some families that were faced with divorce and other problems.  I remember thinking about how different life would be to not experience the complete love of a family.  In considering the family problems other people face, I counted my blessings.  I had a family.

I am writing this essay only because of the efforts of my grandparents.  It is not for me.  Since my grandfather passed away three years ago I have thought about all the things that my grandmother sees other couples her age doing.  The reality that she was not able to do these things with her husband hits me hard.  I feel that this honorary family award should go to my grandmother, and also in memory of my grandfather.  They gave me, and my grandmother continues to give me, something which I can never give back: a home and a loving family.  Hopefully, I can show my grandmother my appreciation with this honor.

John David Mueller