Orlando “Orlie” Muller loved to smile, loved to cook, loved to golf. He ran the celebrated El Camino Restaurant in Albuquerque until he sold it and retired in 2002. He died of kidney failure at the age of 72. The visitation and Rosary service for him at Holy Family Catholic Church brought about 150 people to pay their respects and comfort his widow Mary Ann and his six daughters Janet, Lillian, Rachel, Josephine, Anita, and Elizabeth.
The duo Ramon y Lydia played guitar and sang Spanish and English religious songs. Visitors filed past the open casket, which sported artwork of a putting green on the inside of the lid. Orlie, dressed in a cream colored suit, lay in repose with a smile on his face.
“He was always smiling, I’ve never seen him mad,” said Gilbert Garcia, his old friend and golf buddy of 45 years. “He was a heckuva good man. He was well-liked and gave a smile to everyone.”
Orlie was a terrific cook. He was especially known for great enchiladas, menudo, posole, and sopapillas. He said Orlie worked very hard at the restaurant, arriving at 4:00 a.m. to get everything ready for the day.
Golf was a big passion in Orlie’s life. He and Gilbert Garcia went golfing all over California, Nevada, New Mexico and other places. A big highlight for him was seeing Tiger Woods play in San Diego, where Garcia now lives.
The widow sat and the six daughters stood in the front row dressed in black. They received a constant stream of hugs and words of condolence as the visitation went on.
Before the Rosary started, the funeral director said, “On behalf of all the family, thank you for being here this evening to give the family your support.” He then reminded attendees that the final viewing and funeral Mass would be the next morning, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Two women led the Rosary in both English and Spanish. The Rosary is divided into five parts, called decades, and referred to as Mysteries. Each decade is separated by a song. There are different sets of Mysteries, said on different days of the week: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous. This evening they recited the Glorious Mysteries.
For those unfamiliar, here are the prayers of the Rosary:
Prayer Before The Rosary
Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have designed to come to Fatima and Medjugorje, to reveal to the three shepherd children and six visionaries, the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners, and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary (Mention your request). I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen.
The Our Father:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Prayer to Jesus Requested By Our Lady
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, take all souls to Heaven, and help especially those most in need of Your mercy.
The Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Hail Holy Queen:
Hail! Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer After The Rosary
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
After the Rosary, attendees were invited to the family home to continue visiting and telling stories of Orlie Muller. May he continue to smile upon those he meets in heaven.
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