John Ralph Mulenburg

Obituary

John Ralph Mulenburg was born on June 11, 1930, in Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. He was the son of Martin and Amanda (Berquist) Mulenburg. He grew up with his siblings, Bob, Margie, Luverne, Lois and Jerry. As a boy he enjoyed many outdoor activities like fishing, skating and sledding. John attended Granite Falls Public School thru the 10th grade. He was a good athlete and played on the football team as well as the hockey team which played at the state tournament in 1946.

He entered active military service in the United States Army on January 4, 1947, and served his country during peace time. He received an honorable discharge on June 23, 1948. He furthered his education by attending Gale Institute in Minneapolis, MN, for Rail Road Accounting and Telegraphy. John worked for 32 years as an agent clerk and train order operator at various locations. He also worked at the Young America Post Office for 6 years, retiring in 1992. 

John and his wife Mae (Bjerkeset) met as teenagers (ages 19 and 16). On August 30, 1950, they were married at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, MN. John and Mae began their life together in Granite Falls and moved several times to work at railroad depots in S. Dakota and Minnesota. In 1963 they moved permanently to Glencoe. They were blessed with five children, Patricia, Larry, Lorrie, Mark and Craig. Family was important to him and he cherished the time spent with them. John and Mae shared over 70 years of marriage.

Throughout his life John enjoyed traditional country music, reading, and working on house projects. He had close lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed a game of pool and a beer.

John was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe. He was also a member of the Glencoe VFW Post #5102. 

John passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021, at Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson, MN, at the age of 90. Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his; Wife, Mae Mulenburg of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Patricia Lenz and her husband, Roger, of Brooklyn Park, MN,
Larry Mulenburg and his wife, Mary, of Glencoe, MN,
Lorrie Link and her husband, Bob, of Hutchinson, MN,
Mark Mulenburg and his wife, Deedee, of Hutchinson, MN,
Craig Mulenburg and his wife, Denise, of Eagle Lake, MN;
11 Grandchildren;
9 Great Grandchildren;
Brother, Jerry Mulenburg and his wife, Judy, of CA;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his Parents, Martin and Amanda Mulenburg; Grandson, Luke Mulenburg; Brothers, Robert Mulenburg and his wife, Jo, Luverne Mulenburg; Sisters, Lois Hildahl and her husband, LeRoy, Marjorie Zempel and her husband, Lloyd.