She grew up in Reno, NV learning to drive in her dad’s Jeep. Volunteering began as a Candy Striper at Washoe Medical Hospital. She graduated from Reno High School 1966 and attended the University of Nevada-Reno in Food Management.
She married Gary Bruce Muckel on June 10, 1967 at St. Paul Methodist Church in Reno.
Her husband Gary was a soil scientist with the Soil Conservation Service, USDA that led to several job transfers. She moved with husband Gary from Reno to Burley, ID, then Twin Falls, ID then Bismarck, ND and Albuquerque, NM. Each move she continued to serve her community in Jaycettes. In Twin Falls she ran the Junior Miss Pageant. Bowling and reading were a passion for these early years surrounding her role as mother to William Dean born in Burley, ID in 1973 and Tamera Kay born in Twin Falls, ID in 1976. In her 4 years in Bismarck, ND besides mothering her two kids she offered day care service to other children often involving them to Jaycette community activities. Later in Albuquerque she served again in Jaycettes and then as a Den Mother and Brownie Leader and member of Civitans. She applied her kitchen skills teaching microwave cooking, a growing sensation at the time.
Tigard, OR was her next reassignment where she became involved in Welcome Wagon, becoming President of the group before her final move to Lincoln, NE in 1992. She had many life-long friends from each location.
Welcome Wagon (later to become Women’s Welcome Club) was a natural attraction when she moved to Lincoln. She served as Vice President and Treasurer in those early years in Lincoln. She started several different activities over the years including Bunco, potlucks, hand and foot, and various book clubs and continued most of these until her passing. She also was a former member of Newcomers and the Heritage League. She loved getting together with many friends. She loved to bake and decorate cakes.
For several years she volunteered at the Lincoln Children’s Museum helping with crafts. She always was very supportive to her husband’s Kiwanis and collecting activities, traveling across the country and overseas to various shows and conventions.
She battled breast cancer on and off for nearly 20 years but did not slow her down from her many activities and gatherings with friends.
Survived by husband Gary, sister Joan Austin of Sparks, NV, daughter Tamera Kay Muckel of Sparks, NV, son William Dean Muckel and daughter in law Holly Muckel of Lincoln, grandchildren Kira Isabel Muckel and Shane Muckel of Lincoln and nieces and nephews in Reno, Sparks and Winnemucca, NV.
Memorials can be made to the Lincoln Center Kiwanis.