On May 19th, 2023, Hansdieter Klaus "Dieter" Mueller-Neuhaus, founder of The Pork Shop and the Tatamagouche Oktoberfest, took his leave, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Sagan, Germany on March 4th, 1941, Dieter was a child of war, which instilled in him a tenacity of spirit, a love of life, and a steadfast determination; he excelled at everything he did. Dieter grew up in Bavaria, where he was educated as a high-tension electrician (lineman), and apprenticed under his beloved uncle Kaspar in the art of sausage making. In 1959, his path brought him to western Canada, where he briefly worked for Comstock as an electrician. He and a friend struck out on the road, wiring houses and traveling. In 1964, fate would find him in Montreal at the Scandinavian Club. There he met the love of his life, Claire. They shared a beer and a dance, and the stars aligned; it was love at first sight, and it was a love for the ages. After a brief courtship they married and began their life together. They moved to Wabush Labrador, were Dieter worked as a maintenance supervisor at Wabush Mines. During their years there, Dieter and Claire were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Michelle and Monique. A desire to be closer to family drew them to Bass River, N.S., where Dieter farmed hogs and sheep, and drove a school bus. He and Claire were blessed with another daughter, Heidi, and a son Jason to complete his family.

In 1978, they moved to farm in the beautiful community of Denmark, N.S. Falling pork prices necessitated diversification, so Dieter drew on his talent for sausage making to support his family, and so the Pork Shop was born. In 1980, a yearning for his childhood culture inspired Dieter to hold an Oktoberfest. It started small, but grew to be a behemoth. In 2019, Oktoberfest celebrated 40 years. As with everything that Dieter did it was a raging success. Dieter retired in 1993, and spent his years traveling, hobby farming in Denmark in a home that he built himself, and loving his life and his family.

Dieter was larger than life, was fiercely proud of his family, and lived an incredible life of love with his Claire for 58 years. He leaves behind an immeasurable emptiness.

Dieter is survived by his beloved wife Claire, his daughters Michelle, Monique (Charles Marchbank), Heidi (Jeff Barbrick), and son Jason (Angela), grandchildren Jonathan (Vanessa) Sellars, Sarah (Adam) Langille, Anthony and Shane Barbrick, Julia and Alyssa Mueller-Neuhaus, and great-grandchildren Jensen, Addison, Navi, and Cedar, and Josh, Tam, and Breya Marchbank, who he loved like his own.

He is also survived by his siblings, Hertha, Wilhelm, Werner, Annelise, and Jutta. He was predeceased by his parents Herbert and Anna Mueller Neuhaus, and a half-brother Rudolf Loeffler. As were his wishes, there will be no visitation or formal service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Deepest gratitude to the Healthcare professionals that took such wonderful care of Dieter at the end. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

"Prosit"

Arrangements are under the direction of Coulter's Funeral Home, Tatamagouche.