Gene was born to immigrants Otto and Marie Muller, a Swiss milkman and German maid, on April 20, 1927 in Boise. Except for a brief stint in the Navy at the end of WWII, he lived and worked on his family farm located between Eagle and Star until his death at 94 years of age. He attended school at the one-room Liberty School until it was merged with Star which was subsequently merged with Meridian High School from which he graduated in 1945. He married Marjorie Johnstone in a garden wedding in Homedale, ID on July 9, 1953. Never a day went by that Gene did not visit neighbors to share words of wisdom and “BS”. We always wondered how many stories he really had; towards the end of life, we heard the same ones many times. He was an extremely hard worker, and instilled that ethic in his children (Margene, Darlene and Eldon). Neighbors at that time were like family, each helping another to be successful. Many days in the summer Marge cooked farm-sized noon dinners for “the men” as they helped each other with crops. Bill Frost, Fred Speilman and Dad were great neighbors and friends who rotated together through each crop season. It was always a day full of laughter and colorful language. Dad had a knack for visiting neighbors to help with chores or needs. Strangers would come to the door needing fuel, a tractor pulled out of a ditch or just a sample of mom’s good cooking. All were accommodated especially when it came to helping with his John Deere tractor, in which he would have been buried if he could. Dan Allen and Johnny Johnstone became staples at the house, helping Dad with his farming and custom swathing and baling business. Neighbors Ralph and Barbara Wilder’s family (Steve, Doug and Mike) were like his kids, and they kept an eye on him as he matured. Bill Phillips and Vick Wolfe partnered in a break even venture to pour dobies and build sheds, at least that is what they told us they were doing. It took a village at the end to allow him to live independently for 94 years. I think he got back from neighbors as much as he gave. His two biggest friends at the peak of his life were son-in-law, Clint Travis, and adopted son, Dave Hayes. He loved spending time with them and helping with their projects from his woodworking and machine shops. They likewise reveled in his stories and banter. He and Marge were lifelong advocates for quality education and toiled to make certain their children and grandchildren could afford college, which was an expectation. Gene was always active in leadership of youth development programs such as the Star PTA, Boy Scouts, 4H and FFA with activities stretching far past the years of his own children. He served as President of the Star PTA; he was one of the founding members of the Meridian FFA Advisory Board, providing his expertise as well as farm and personal resources for FFA youth for many years. He was awarded the FFA Honorary State Farmer Degree. He was a constant presence at the Southwest Idaho State Fair Livestock Auction raising bids, purchasing animals, and visiting with old friends. Gene was a 70 year member of the Boise #2 and Meridian #47 Masonic Lodge achieving the level of Master Mason as well as a member of the Scottish Rite and Shrine. One of his biggest passions were water rights for farms. He served on the Ada County Drainage District No. 2 for over 30 years helping to assure proper maintenance and design of District’s drainage throughout the explosion of development in the valley. The biggest joy of Gene’s life was family and interacting with children. He loved playing tricks on the neighborhood kids, joining in all sorts of games (especially cards) laughing and teasing about winners and losers. He enjoyed the extended Johnstone and Muller family gatherings, and treasured interactions with his many nieces and nephews (he called it heckling). No one would have guessed he square danced with Mom in his prime. He always looked forward to big parties where he could exercise his 2nd biggest passion, the fine art of BS. Gene practiced this art multiple times a week at the Star and Eagle Senior Centers where he played pinochle with a dedicated group of competitors “to win their dollar back”. He also enjoyed practicing his art at the monthly Swiss luncheons with the descendants and newcomers of the small Swiss community in the Boise Valley. To the end he was a farmer. Always planting and caring for a big garden so he could shower produce on friends and neighbors. Sweet corn was always a prominent part of his endeavors whether raising it to sell in his road-side stand during his early years or bringing it to Cards for all of his senior friends. After the close of his formal farming career, Gene lent his hog facilities to local 4H and FFA members. He loved interacting with them during their visits to care and feed their animals. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie (Johnstone), and his two sisters: Gunda Post of Boise and Amy Ciampa of Modesto, CA. He is survived by his brother, Leo Muller of Valley Centre, CA; daughters: Margene Muller of Meridian; Darlene and Clint Travis of Eagle; and his son, Eldon and Ceil Muller of Orlando, FL. Gene has 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Sean and his son, Zander Travis of Boise; Allison and her husband, Jake and their children, Michael and Jackson Dahl of Vancouver Washington; Nathan and his wife, Savannah Muller of Smyrna, GA; and Ty and his wife, Amanda and their children, Noah and Ava Travis of Eagle. Family by choice are Dave and Robin Hayes and their children: Bryn, Kallen and Cooper; Dan and Robin Allen and their children: Tracy and Pat; and Josh Wilder. We would like to thank the St. Luke’s Hospice team: Rhea, Amanda, Tami, Joan and many more and the Exceptional Care Team: Jody, Tim, Lisa, Phyllis, Elizabeth, Mary Michael; and night time buddy, Will, for their compassionate support for Dad and our family at the end of his life. A small graveside service will take place for Gene’s interment at 3:00 Friday, May 21 at the Star Cemetery followed by a gathering until 7:30 at the Honalee Farm 7010 W. Moon Valley Rd. Eagle, previously the Otto Muller farm where Gene was raised. A Celebration of Gene’s Life will begin at 5:30. The family invites all who would like to participate to join them, dinner will be provided. Please be comfortable in your dress. As an alternative to flowers, donations can be made to the Muller Family Memorial Scholarship through the Meridian FFA Alumni, (Dan Sample 12080 W. State Street, Star ID 83669), the Idaho Youth Ranch, or your favorite charity. Dad lived a life “good enough for who it was for”. Remembrances may be left for Gene’s family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the care of Accent Funeral Home and Cremation, Meridian.