Judith A. “Judy” Mueller, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Heritage Woods in Moline. She will be remembered not only for her feisty spirit but also for the deep love she shared with her family, her “precious grandchildren,” and friends. A funeral service will be held in her honor on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, located at 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, allowing family and friends to gather in remembrance of Judy. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to family. 

Judy was born on March 22, 1941, in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Ralph and Anita Anderson Bezner. She married Larry Loete and together they had four children. They later divorced. She married Jim Mueller, in 1980. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1998. 

Throughout her life, Judy found joy in her work as a cook at Rudy’s Tacos in East Moline, where she made the best beans, rice and sauce. Beyond Rudy’s, she dedicated countless hours cooking as a volunteer for several veteran and service-related organizations within the communities she lived in. Judy’s greatest joy came from cooking food for large groups and gatherings as well as getting her family together for delicious meals and shared laughter. An avid enthusiast of music, she found happiness in the tunes of Neil Diamond, Elvis, and in her earlier years, following the local band, Gray Wolf. She also enjoyed the thrill of visiting casinos to play slots and participating in BINGO games with her friends at Heritage Woods. Judy also cherished getting together for lunch at Hy-Vee with her Moline classmates of “59.” 

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Jeffrey (Brenda) Loete, Moline, IL, James (Geri) Loete, Milan, IL, Jenna (Alex) Wolfert Coralville, IA and Jill (Kevin) Pritchard, Antioch, IL; grandchildren, Brittney Perez, Sara Loete, Lars and Alex Pritchard, Andrew (Jessica) Witte and Keri Witte; great-grandson, Collin Perez and several other great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Gene Olson; and three nieces and three nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband James, her grandsons Brandon and Jeremy Witte, and her sisters Nalda Olson and Vicki Koehler.

The family wishes to send special thanks to the CNA’s and staff at Heritage Woods for all of the generous and loving care extended to Judy and her family. Online condolences, cherished memories, and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.