Eleanor M. Lindeman

Minnesota has lost their beloved “Sawlady”, Eleanor Mueller/Lindeman. She moved on to painting new creations and making new music in Heaven on December 16, 2019, at the age of 90 in Aitkin, Minnesota.

Eleanor lived a talented life of adventure and service to others. Her arts and crafts were what fueled her, but her real passion was her love of God and helping those in need. Even in the end, riddled with Alzheimers disease, she truly thought she “worked” at the nursing home and that it was her “job” to make others happy, giving hugs and playing music. In her late 40’s, Eleanor traveled to Haiti, volunteering with missionaries at Mother Theresa’s Home for the Dying. You could often find her without a coat in the Minnesota winter, as there was always someone who needed it more. She made a difference in the lives of many.

Ellen earned her “Sawlady” title from the thousands of saws she painted with Minnesota scenes of wildlife and farms. She loved her customers at the swap-meets and art fairs. She loved to travel, often driving across the country and exploring new places. One such trip led her to Mountain View, Arkansas, making it her home for four years. She could be found playing music with the locals on any given day. Ellen played by ear, never having a lesson, and was known to play the guitar, harmonica, dulcimer, autoharp, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, piano, and organ, all the while singing her beloved hymns and folk music. She was proud of living life her way, the art she created for so many, her children and grandchildren, building a log cabin in her 60’s, painting on anything and everything, and serving others.

Ellen will be reuniting with many friends and family in Heaven that she has missed for so long including her mother and father who raised her on the farm in Little Falls during the great depression; her late husband, Carl Mueller; her sons, Douglas and Christopher Mueller; as well as many sisters and brothers. She leaves behind two daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her best friend, Bob Lindeman.

We invite you to join us in celebrating her life and share a memory or story of her. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 10, 2020 at 11:00am at Sorensen-Root Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin, MN.