Hildegard "Hilde" Pruess Mueller

January 28, 1934 - November 29, 2021

Hildegard Pruess Mueller 1934 - 2021 Hildegard Pruess Mueller arrived on this earth in Hamburg Germany on January 28, 1934 to Richard and Rosalie Pruess. After 87 years of a challenging and very blessed life she left her treasured earthly family to join her many loved ones on the other side of the veil November 29, 2021. Though she is very missed, we glory in knowing she is back in the arms of her beloved husband who, as she frequently said, has waited for 57 years to “pick her up”. She passed peacefully exactly as she had wished, in her own home in her own bed. Hilde endured many formidable trials growing up in war torn Germany which helped build her enviable unshakable faith and sure knowledge of her Redeemer, guardian angels, and the power of prayer. She had a resiliency to endure multiple lifelong heartaches and hardships and always said, “To me it is not so important what I have experienced, but what I have learned and become from it.” Hilde grew up in Rahlstedt, a small suburb of Hamburg, Germany. Hamburg was completely destroyed by allied forces in Operation Gomorrah, which had the goal to break the will of the German people. As a result of repeated bombings, Adolf Hitler implemented Kinderlandverschickung, a program that sent many city children to small mountain villages for health and safety. At the tender age of 5, she and her sister, Lygia, were sent by train to the village Wünschendorf, Erzgebirge without knowing who they would live with or for how long. Multiple times, bombers targeted their train. The train would stop and all the children would run into the fields to lay down to avoid the bombers. In Wünschendorf, Hilde was placed with Herbert and Liesbeth Hieke, wonderful people with whom she stayed connected throughout her life. She attended kindergarten and 1st grade before returning to her home and family. Her family had to flee several more times. Hilde was in her family home when it was struck by a bomb and burned. She lived through countless nights of running to bomb shelters during bombing raids. This triggered PTSD that affected her for the rest of her life. While temporarily living in a school building filled to capacity with other displaced families, she slept on straw covered floors and shared a single communal spoon which was passed around for everyone to eat their simple meals. Her brother, Richard, was killed in the war. Famine was rampant and stories of hunger have instilled a mentality of “waste not” in her children and grandchildren. Yet, amidst the struggles, each week, Hilde walked over an hour round trip through bombed streets over rubble so that she could attend mutual and sacrament meetings, which she valued greatly. Hilde studied nutrition and herbology at university. A profession that blessed her throughout her life and would earn her a coveted job in a health food store with Herr Bein who tutored her further. At age 18, Hilde applied for sponsorship to come to America and when acceptance was taking too long she applied to be a nanny in Switzerland. She finally received acceptance for both one day apart. She prayed and was inspired that she would meet her husband in America and fulfill her dream to raise her family in Zion in the shadow of the temple. Glen Smith, the brother of the prophet, sponsored her. She bravely boarded the SS Italia alone and came to America leaving her family behind, not knowing if she would see them again in this life. Soon after arriving in America, Hilde did indeed meet the promised, beloved, perfect husband, who had recently escaped from then communist Germany. She and George married three months later on September 8th, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their first child, Raymond, died in childbirth on July 4, 1954. While pregnant with Viola in 1955, Hilde’s sister, Lygia, was struck by a car and died. In 1957, another son, LeRoy, was born, and died 9 months later. Joy followed grief as Daniel was born in 1959 and Shirley arrived in 1962. However, just 20 months later in 1964, her precious husband George was killed in a tragic airplane crash in Canada, leaving her a very young widow with three small children. A new season of life began as she became head of the home, bearing the burden of not only all decision making, but financial responsibility as well. She chose absolute frugality and to never miss paying her tithing. She came up with clever ways to sew, make, stretch, and do things herself, sacrificing much, so she could stay home and devote herself to being the best mother in the world to her children. Hilde was a room mother, PTA president twice at Columbus School, and served on the South Elementary Board of Education Council as the Spiritual Life Chairman for 22 schools. During her time of leadership, there were many severely handicapped children in the school. She was concerned the peers of these children would misunderstand and tease. So, she started a rewards program where students who performed well or got work done would earn the privilege of becoming a “buddy” to a child with special needs. Students would accompany children to recess, assemblies, etc. The program worked beautifully to foster empathy, understanding and compassion through service. Many students nurtured long-time friendships with one another through her vision and leadership. As her children grew older, Hilde started taking a variety of classes to stimulate her mind including oil painting, ballroom dancing, institute, voice, handwriting analysis, and study of auras, to name just a few. For income, she began helping other families care for their homes. They treated her so well. Those families cherished her and golden friendships grew which blessed her, her family and many others greatly. Hilde poured her heart and soul into the many callings she held in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her all time favorite was 11 years as Gospel Doctrine teacher to 18-30 year olds. Hilde also served 23 years as a Relief Society teacher, was a choir conductor and Relief Society President. She also served multiple Church service missions including the Family History Library for 2 years, German speaking tour guide at Temple Square for 3 years, the Beehive House for 14 years, and the Conference Center for 11 years. She was a consummate teacher. We are sure her dedicated missionary spirit and diligent work ethic will carry on in heaven. Hilde is survived by her children, Viola (Curtis) Murray, Daniel (Tauna) Mueller, Shirley Western. 11 grandchildren Nicole Probst, Clinton Murray, Landon Murray, Angey Barnes, Trenton Mueller, Kayla Mueller, Melissa Mueller, Joshua Mueller, Strauss Western, Dallin Western, Quinn Western and 16 great grandchildren. The funeral will be 11:00 am, Friday, December 10, 2021 held at the former Nibley Park Ward building on 2450 South 600 East, Salt Lake City, Utah with a viewing prior to services at 9:45. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery To join the service by Zoom: https://keybank.zoom.us/j/99649529130?pwd=bUZVMmQ5VzRyMVp4ZEwyVHliWVVtUT09 Meeting ID: 996 4952 9130 Passcode: HildeM34!