Fred A. Muellerleile

Fred A. Muellerleile, 97 of Mankato, died October 21, 2021 at the Pillars of Mankato.

Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Fred was born in Elysian Township Le Sueur County on October 27, 1923 to Herman and Elizabeth (Frederick) Muellerleile. He graduated from College High School in Mankato, Minnesota class of 1941. He was the last remaining graduate of his class.

He was a mechanic for two and a half years at Fort Lewis Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot in the state of Washington. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters since 1942, a member of the American Legion, past Board Chairman and past First Aid Chairman of the American Red Cross. Additionally, he was a member of the Elks, Moose and National Safety Council, Minnesota Safety Council, and Chairman of the Region 9 Safety Council. He taught Industrial Safety classes at Vo-Tech for several years and was a past member of the Masons with Father Fred Woodford. 

Fred worked at the Minnesota Department of Transportation most of his career. First as a Mechanic where he maintained 12 patrol cars for 13 years and then as Maintenance Management for 3 years. He was promoted to Safety Coordinator with several positions for 18 years retiring in March of 1988. 

He was married September 1, 1953 to Dixie Lee Wirig at old St. John’s Catholic Church. He has been a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for 68 years.     

Two things Fred hoped to be remembered for are the many years of work at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. He was on the Calvary Cemetery Board for 40 years and Supervisor of Operations since 1988. He was responsible for all restorations, in particular the restoration of the Chapel and the design and construction of the Rosary Garden. For his work he received two Bishops Medals, one in 2006 and one in 2015.

Fred also hoped to be remembered for his idea of putting toilet paper on the cracks and joints of the road that were filled with hot poured rubber material. He also designed a toilet tissue applicator. This idea made traffic control easier and the rubber didn’t become glued to the vehicle tires. Fred’s idea is used worldwide.

Fred was preceded in death by his father, Herman Muellerleile; mother, Elizabeth (Frederick) Muellerleile; sisters, Betty Briley and Judie LaFrance; brother, Kenneth Muellerleile; and brothers-in-law, Bud Briley and Don Olsen.

He is survived by wife, Dixie Muellerleile and daughter, Mary Fowler; grandson, Dr. James Fowler and wife, Dr. Jana Fowler; grandson, John Fowler and husband Michaël Dumais; two great granddaughters, Sarah and Elizabeth Fowler; sister, Rita Olsen; brother-in-law, Mike LaFrance; and many many cousins.

We are all going to miss his good stories. Thank you to the Pillars of Mankato for their compassionate care.