Shirlee Johnson Mueller

Shirlee Ann Johnson Mueller passed into the Lord's Kingdom on January 1, 2018.

Shirlee was born in Denver, Colorado on October 24, 1934 and was the second daughter of Walter and Opal Johnson. Shirlee's older sister of four years was Peggy. Shirlee's early years were filled with being a excellent student, her love for music, started playing the piano at the age of five, advanced choir singing, and love of ice skating. Shirlee always talked about being a "tomboy" and tried to always break the mold of that period when girls were taught that they could not participate in what the boys got to do. She grew up in Northeast Denver and graduated from East High School in Denver where she performed on stage and was awarded the prestigious Boettcher Scholarship that fully paid for her college education. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Secretarial Science from the University of Denver where, in addition, she directed an on-stage musical and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

Shirlee met Herbert James "Jim" Mueller at the University of Denver and they married on September 1, 1957 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Denver. Jim always described Shirlee as his "Wonderful Lady" both as a wife and mother. Their lives centered on being servants of Jesus Christ and being part of his brilliant Light on earth for those around them. The past and current members and clergy of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church have been significant part of their family for 54 years.

Shirlee's greatest gift to this world, although there were many, was her undivided devotion and advocacy for her special son Tracy. Her support, belief in and development of Tracy undergirded everything he is today—an astonishing Light to the rest of the world. She taught him that there was no such thing as a disability—you are who you are and that God gave him even greater gifts that he needed to unlock—which he did through her enduring guidance. Tracy says that Mom gave him confidence to live brilliantly, and wouldn't be who he is today without her. Her son Todd remembers her always being there for the entire family in good times and in bad—a Mom that was slow to judge and always forgiving once lessons were learned. Her son Troy believes she taught him that he had the ability to "change the world." All three boys brag that they were her favorite.

Shirlee lived a life of always putting all the family's needs before any of her own needs. She taught her boys that life revolves around not by what others do for you but rather what you do for others. Shirlee described herself as a "dreamer" who drove her dreams to reality. She loved to volunteer at her church, spending much of her non-working time as a pianist, adult and children's choir director, president of the church council, and working on anything that needed to get done. She sang with the Skyline Sweet Adeline's group, competing at Red Rocks and winning the Colorado state championship and then going onto Detroit to compete in the national competition. She was also a dedicated Toastmaster because she wanted to improve upon her public speaking. She worked for Shell Oil out of college, worked part-time as a bookkeeper, worked with Jim at their personnel employment agency once the boys were older, and eventually as an executive assistant at AmeriGas.

She is survived by her husband Jim, her son Tracy, her son Todd and his wife Billi, her son Troy and his wife Carla, her granddaughters Katie Mueller, Kaylee Mueller, Lisi Mueller, Ashley Mueller, Alyssa Mitchell and husband Jake, Laneya Hegarty and husband Taylor, Kate Orozco and husband Roberto, and Kara Handy, and her great grandchildren Genevieve Mueller, Dexton and Carson Hegarty, and Sofia and Vivianna Orozco.

The family welcomes flowers to be delivered to Cross of Glory Lutheran Church or a donation in honor of Shirlee Johnson Mueller to a charity of their choosing..