WEST LIBERTY, Iowa -- Loretta G. Mueller, 88, of West LIBERTY, formerly of Winona, Minn., died Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City of congestive heart failure.

Graveside services will be Sunday at the Oak Ridge Cemetery. The Rev. Ed O'Melia will officiate. The Barker Funeral Home in West LIBERTY is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Mueller was born Oct. 24, 1912, in Coldsprings, Minn., the daughter of Michael and Katherine Pflepsen Korte. She married Leo Mueller Sept. 17, 1935. He preceded her in death Oct. 28, 1989.

She lived with her niece, Shirley Weinard of West LIBERTY since leaving her home in Winona in 1990.

She was employed at Montgomery Wards in Winona until her retirement.

Survivors include a niece, Shirley Weinard of West Liberty; three great-nieces, Anne Weinard-Heckman and Audrey Weinard, both of West LIBERTY, and Angie Lehman and husband, Bill, of North English; three great-great-nieces: Samantha Heckman, Jordyn Weinard and Megan Lehman; a great-great-nephew, Jake Lehman; three sisters, Helen Gaspard of Bagley, Minn., Jenny Gross of Andover, Minn. and Stella Lacher of Springfield, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; a sister, Billie; and a brother, Isadore.