Jack Mueller of Utica is a well-known fixture at the Winona County Fair and has a record of more than 30 years as the official emcee and “joke teller” at the open class talent show. This member of the 2022 Hall of Fame also has many memories of years as a 4-Her exhibiting at the Winona County Fair.
“ The highlight of Dad’s 4-H years was exhibiting cattle at the Winona County Fair and at the Minnesota State Fair… he frequently talks of the great fun and shenanigans he and a brother would have spending nights in the cattle barns,” says daughter Jackie Tillotson.
Mueller grew up on a purebred Holstein dairy farm in Fremont Township and was the oldest of four children. He later raised his family in Utica. He and his first wife Janet had four children Jackie (Rick), Jeff (Elyse), Jeri and Josh (Laurie). After Janet passed from cancer he eventually remarried, and he and his wife Mary now have a combined family that numbers seven children and nine grandchildren.
Over the years Mueller career has included Mueller Farm Service in Utica, regional leader with Premerica Financial Services, real estate sales, coach driver for Phillips Bus Company and bus driver for the St. Charles School District. He has also been active in the community as a founder of the Utica Cancer Fund Raising group, served on the Utica City Council and was on the board of director of the Good Shepherd Nursing home.