D'Maris Joanne Mueller

When a loved one passes we call a holy person. This pastor or priest presides over a melancholy procession of family dressed in the drabbest black in their wardrobe. They put the person in the ground and after some time the people all go home, to mourn in peace. The obituary typically reads like a grocery list of accomplishments or the fine print of a lease agreement. Likely to be overlooked and unnoticed.

D’ Maris (Dee) Mueller was not meant to be boring. Grandma Dee or Mom, as many called her, was full of life and love. She liked rock and roll. The good stuff! From the 50’s and 60’s! Born June 4th, 1931 to Jack and Beulah Thornton in Gary, Indiana she grew up on a street with all boys. Later in life she described herself as a tomboy. Many a day was spent playing ball and having footraces with the neighborhood boys.

Her athleticism paid off time and again throughout her life. From playing catch with her son until he “threw too hard”, to loading up a sled with groceries and children in tow during the blizzard of ’67, to throwing a 16lb bowling ball into her 80’s. Dee was champion bowler, winning the Indiana state singles and doubles titles in 1967. Grandma Dee remained sharp witted and quick of reflex until her last years. We all recall road trips with her driving 85 on the highway and the AC cranked up so high you needed a coat in the height of summer. She wouldn’t let us drive!

During high school she was a cheerleader. After graduating from Gary Wirt High School she began work at Illinois Bell as a dispatch operator connecting repairmen with trouble calls. This is where she met the love of her life, William (John) Mueller. They married September 5,1953. In 1954 they were blessed with their first child, a son. Two girls followed 3 years and and 16 years later.

In 1973, the family moved to Colorado when John transferred to Mountain Bell. While John and Dee were able to provide a decent living for their kids, John held a vision which he decided to pursue. In 1986, he retired from Ma Bell and started Mueller Telecom, where Dee helped the family business keeping the books, answering the phone and whatever else was needed.

Their modest home in Castle Rock was home to many others throughout the remainder of Dee’s life. In that home Dee raised children and grandchildren, and cared for what seems like countless grandchildren. She and her husband kept a large garden into their 80’s where the cucumbers were the largest you had ever seen! It truly was a beautiful sight, that garden.

Dee was a mom and grandma to not only our family, but to our good friends as well. Many have memorized her number over the years. We could call her day or night and she would answer. No matter what mess we were in, she would strap on her shoes and fire up her car. If all you needed was an ear she would listen for hours. She exemplified the idea of love. She wasn’t boring at all. She was full of life through all of her days. We are all better people for having known her.

Dee is survived by husband John, children Gary, Susan and Kristine, grandchildren Casey, Jon-Michael, Amanda, J’Ana, Taylor and Tanner, ten great-grandchildren and all those who called her grandma and mom. Thank you for being you. We love you.