St. John's Lutheran Church, Babbtown (near Meta), honored Arline Mueller this past Sunday for 65 years as organist at the church.
She began playing the organ regularly for worship on May 2, 1948, when she was 14.
Mueller says that when she was in school, the teacher had a little paper keyboard that had the notes printed on it. From that paper keyboard, she memorized the notes and then went home and taught herself to play the organ. She started playing in church on the pump organ, and played that for 18 years until it was replaced with an electric organ.
She still plays regularly for Sunday worship and special services during the year. She rarely misses a service. She has been a lifelong member of the congregation and serves a vital role in ministry in the church.
"We thank God for the gift that he has given St. John's through the talent and dedicated work of Arline, and we pray that he will allow her to continue to play the organ for many more years," Pastor Gerald Scheperle said.