Minnie Mullen

Mass of Christian Burial for Minnie Mullen, 93, of Chariton, will be held Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chariton. Burial will be at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5th, at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. A Rosary Service will be held following the visitation at 6:15 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Minnie Lee Reeves was born on February 1, 1930, to Harry and Lura (Nowlin) Reeves in Springfield, Colorado.  In 1933 the family moved to Lincoln, Arkansas, later moving to Chariton, IA in 1942.  

Minnie graduated from Chariton High School in 1948 and attended the Creston branch of Cedar Falls College and earned her teaching certificate.  She taught at the Cory Country School for 3 years.

She was united in marriage to Donald Joseph Mullen in 1951.  To this union, three children were born - Sheri (Craig) Miner of Murfreesboro, TN, Bruce (Brenda) Mullen of Chariton, IA, and Mark (Tina Chenet) Mullen of Pershing, IA.

Minnie was employed at the Lucas County Telephone Company 1951-1958, and the Lucas County Assessor's Office from 1967-1990.

Minnie enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing cards, dancing and attending Mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  She was one of the charter members of the S.M. (Schoolmates) Club founded in 1955.  The ladies continued to meet monthly for nearly 70 years.  Upon retirement she and Don enjoyed taking bus trip vacations.  Minnie prepared and hosted countless holiday and family celebration dinners.  She is fondly known for her beef and homemade noodles and for baking her loved ones their favorite homemade pies. At Christmastime she made dozens of date pinwheel cookies for family and friends, filling the stairs to the attic with countless containers of cookies and candies.

Preceding her in death is her husband of 66 years, Donald Joseph Mullen; her parents; brother, Harry; sister, Genevieve (Tootsie); and grandsons: Conner Altenhofen and Bill Miner.  

Grandchildren left to cherish her memories are Eric Smith (Brenda Storc), Holly (Keith) Berryhill, Stacey (Alex) Rasmussen, Shelley (Roger) Sapper, Brendon (Zoey) Woods, Sarah (Paul) Dory, Ashli Anderson, Sarah (Aaron) Flahive and Nicole (Seth) Swan, as well as, 20 great grandchildren: Addison, Elli, Brody, Ty, Owen, Delaney, Dawson,  Emeri, Harper, Berkley, Oliver, Cooper, Grayson, Stella, Liam, Aria, Jesse, Amber, Lucy and Will; and 5 great great grandchildren.