Armin Theodore Mueller

In Loving Memory of Armin Mueller: Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grampsy, Friend, July 21, 1954 – October 1, 2022

Armin Theodore Mueller, was born July 21, 1954 in Ligschwil, Switzerland, the 4th child of 6, to Frieda and Xavier Mueller. Armin grew up in a dairy farming family, so hard work and agriculture was always in his blood. In 1975, at the ripe age of 21, Armin bought a one way ticket to Canada, put $50 in his pocket, and with very little ability to speak English, headed to Canada in pursuit of his own farming dream. Armin started his Canadian farming journey out east working on a farm in Montreal, but eventually his heart and passion took him further west, to Alberta, where he bought his very own first herd of 45 dairy cows, and purchased a farm in Bentley, AB. 

Armin soon realized he would need some help and company running the farm, so in 1978, he headed back to Switzerland for a short stint, where he met Rita Sigrist, promptly fell in love and asked for her hand in marriage. In March of 1980, Armin and Rita were married at the Commissioner of Oath in Red Deer.

On February 16th, 1981, their first son, Alexander Bruno Mueller, was born, followed by their second son, Simon Mueller, on January 24th, 1983, and finally, their third child, daughter, Michelle Mueller, November 14th, 1984. While these years were extremely busy on a dairy farm, Armin still found time to spend with his growing family, typically through ski vacations, camping trips, the occasional trip back to Switzerland, and of course, the many gatherings of the Alberta Swiss community. During this time frame of about 20 years, Armin, with the help of his brother Urs, his family, and a couple of truly amazing farmhands, Armin went from milking 45 cows, to at Pilatus Dairy’s peak, around 180 cows.

In the year 2000, with none of his 3 children showing interest in taking over the dairy operation, Armin sold the dairy cows and quota. However, Armin had a yearning to work even closer with nature, and in that same year, Armin and Rita purchased a herd of approximately 200 bison cows. Over the course of the next 15 years, through unrelenting passion, work ethic, and dedication, Armin ran his bison farm, he co-owned a meat processing plant, owned a bison finishing company, and one of his pride and joys, the bison marketing company, Canadian Rangeland Bison & Elk.

Armin had a very generous spirit and desire to help others achieve their dreams, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to fellow farmers, business owners, as well as charitable organizations, such as to STARS air ambulance, the Cross Cancer Clinic, and Lakeland College. In February of 2020, Armin and Rita presented Lakeland College with a significant donation to establish a bison herd and program at the College, in order to help build the bison industry and give back to the Canadian economy.

During his later years, one of the things that brought Armin the most happiness were his grandkids. He taught his grandkids dance moves, read with them, took them for tractor rides, sang with them, and of course, taught them valuable life lessons along the way. In addition to his love for his grandkids, Armin was extremely passionate about farming, bison, travelling, hiking, biking (especially his e-bike), reading, the Wildrose Yodel Club, and of course, a glass or two of wine.

Unfortunately, along the years, Armin suffered numerous health challenges. He battled prostate cancer for 17 years, as well as in this past year, Armin suffered a number of strokes. Armin had amazing determination and willpower that saw him experience many successes in business and life, and also gave him the strength and courage to keep battling through these illnesses. Unfortunately, in September of 2022, Armin suffered a severe stroke and he passed away a few days later, on October 1st, 2022 in the Rimbey Hospital, in the company of his loving wife and brother.

Armin is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rita, sons, Alex (Coralee) Mueller, Simon Mueller (Grace Chau), daughter Michelle (Steven) Lunty, his 4 grandkids (Skyler, Xavier, Marlee, and Wyatt), as well as numerous extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Xaver and Frieda, and brother, Oskar. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you carry on Armin’s generous spirit by extending a helping hand to someone in need, paying a kind act forward, or donating to a charity of your choice.

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