Richard E. Mullen

Richard Eugene Mullen, 100 years and 10 months, from Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, died at his home in Grey Cloud Island Township on March 28, 2024.

He was born in Minneapolis in 1923 to Leland Putman Mullen and Carrie May (nee Sibben) Mullen. Richard graduated in 1942 from Wilson High School in Saint Paul before joining the army during WW 2 in 1943. He served in communications in the Pacific Theater. Upon returning from the war, he earned his pilot's license using the GI bill. It was while out flying, that he spotted his future home site on his beloved Grey Cloud Island. He returned to active duty for the Korean war and continued in the Army reserves through 1965 retiring as a Major. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute and worked for Wylie Trucking before working 32 years at Bell Telephone company. He met his future wife, LaVerne, selling the yellow pages that LaVerne illustrated. They were married in 1955. He served in the Grey Cloud Island Township government for over 60 years. He shared the love of the island and the Mississippi River with his wife and children, spending weekends on the water, either exploring the river in his sixteen-foot Bell Boy boat or ice skating. He also enjoyed bicycling and downhill skiing. He was deeply devoted to his church and studied his Bible and the church lessons. 

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne Helen (nee Kratzke) Mullen and is survived by daughter, Dawn Summerfield (Kent), son, Lee Mullen, and daughter, Fay Mullen (Mark), grandchildren, Douglas Summerfield (Melissa), Janice Duncan (Jeremy), and Daniel Summerfield (Rebecca), and great grandchildren, McKenzie, Garrett, Campbell, Elliott, Malcolm, and Ezekiel.

Visitation 4-7 PM, Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016 with visitation continuing at 10 AM on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the funeral home. Funeral Service will begin at 11 AM. Burial with military honors, 11:30 AM (Assembly Area #4), Monday, April 8, 2024 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. 

Donations to the Salvation Army and the Friends in Need Food Bank of St. Paul Park would be greatly appreciated.