The Gatton, Lockyer and Brisbane Valley STAR, Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - Page 3 Five generations share Emma’s 100th birthday TOOWOOMBA centenarian and former Gatton resident, Emma Muller and her two surviving eight siblings - Louisa, 98, and little brother Otto, 85 - have lived an astounding 283 years. On Sunday the spotlight was squarely on Emma. It was not only Mother's Day but it was her 100th birthday. She was surrounded by her family - spanning five generations - and her sister Louisa McAuley was by her side. Otto "Mick" Wessling, who is in a home at Brassall, wasn't well and couldn't be there. The sisters hadn't seen each other for several months. Mrs McAuley made the trip in from the Crows Nest Nursing Home to Salem Nursing Home in Hume Street. Mrs Muller was born at Ropeley near Gatton. She was the third eldest of Herman (Harry) and Emma Wessling's 11 children. She lived on the farm, attended Ropeley School and the local Baptist Church. In 1926 she married Wilhelm "Bill" Muller and moved to Murgon, but returned to Gatton where they established the well-known business, Mullers Industries, which first started selling timber in 1936. Bill died in 1959, leaving his wife with four children - Stella, Doris, Allan and Keith - plus two foster children, Neil and Norma. With Allan at the helm, and Stella and Do- ris by his side, Mullers Industries branched into irrigation in 1938, hardware in 1946 and tractors and machinery in 1954. By 1959 it employed 130 people. "Mum cooked cream cakes and made ham sandwiches for the staff and customers," Allan recalled. In 1965, Mrs Muller moved from the busi- ness site to her new home in Smith Street, Gatton, where she lived until 1996. The then 90-year-old was a keen gardener and was insistent that more gardens be established. "She loved her garden and working for the church," Allan said. In 2002 she moved to Salem Nursing Home. With failing eyesight, her biggest disappointment is that she can no longer read her Bible. By SUSAN SEARLE — PHOTO Scott Fletcher. Former Gatton Resident Emma Muller celebrated her 100th birthday in Toowoomba on Sunday. Pictured with Emma are great-great grandson Byron Ruhle, daughter Doris Hansen, Grand-daughter Vickie Cuthbert and great-grand-daughter Angela Ruhle. Note :- Emma passed away a couple months later :- MULLER, Emma Minnie, late of Salem Nursing Home Toowoomba, and formerly of Gatton, passed away at Toowoomba on the 12th July, 2006, aged 100 years. Beloved wife of Wilhelm ``Bill'' (dec'd). Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Stella; Doris; Allan and Val; Keith (dec'd) and Estelle; Neil and Maureen; and Norma and Lee. Loving grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother of their respective families. Loved sister of Louisa and Otto (Mick). Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend EMMA'S funeral to be held at Peace Lutheran Church, Spencer Street Gatton, service commencing at 11.00 a.m. MONDAY (17th July, 2006), followed by interment at Gatton General Cemetery. In God's Care Location: Toowoomba | Published Date: 14 Jul 2006