Dorothea Maria Mueller

Dorothea Mueller

March 6, 1937 – March 2, 2026

❖ ❖ ❖

With hearts full of gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Dorothea Mueller joyfully celebrates her 88 years of love, resilience, and grace. Dorothea passed peacefully on March 2, 2026, just days before what would have been her 89th birthday. A fitting testament to a woman who gave her all, right to the very end.

Born on March 6, 1937, in Germany, Dorothea’s life was one of remarkable courage and adventure. She carried the spirit of her homeland with her as she made her way to the United States, planting roots first in the heartland of Iowa before the warm sunshine of Arizona called her westward. In both places, she built a life full of warmth, hard work, and an enduring love for her family.

To know Dorothea was to know a woman of great strength and even greater heart. She faced life’s joys and its sorrows with equal steadiness, and those who loved her were shaped in the deepest ways by her example. She was a devoted mother whose love was the foundation upon which her family was built.

Dorothea had a zest for life that kept things lively and full of joy. She was an avid NASCAR fan who brought the same fierce enthusiasm to race day as she did to everything she loved. She had a passion for collecting treasured keepsakes, each one

a story and a memory carefully kept. But above all else, Dorothea came alive at family gatherings. Nothing made her happier than having her loved ones together under one roof, sharing a meal, sharing laughter, and simply being together.

Dorothea is survived by her beloved children: Dorothea (Dody), Gary, Eric, Denise, and Diana. She was preceded in death by her son, Adam Robert (Bobby), who no doubt greeted her with open arms. Her legacy lives on in each of her children and in the many lives she touched throughout her 88 wonderful years.

Though she will be deeply missed, her family takes comfort in celebrating a life so fully lived. A life of love that crossed an ocean, spanned generations, and left the world a richer place. A light like Dorothea’s doesn’t go out, it just moves into the hearts of everyone she loved. And there, she will shine forever.

❖ ❖ ❖

“A life well lived is a precious gift, of hope and strength and grace.”

A Celebration of Life will be held:

Sun City West Foundation

Powell Room

14465 W. R.H. Johnson Blvd., Sun City West, AZ 85375

Saturday, March 21st, 2026

10AM – Noon

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, I will not be here to see,

That the sun will rise and find your eyes; filled with tears for me,

But please know you're always in my heart, and I will forever love you,

And know, each time you think of me, I will be missing you too.

When tomorrow starts without me, I need you to understand,

That an angel came, he called my name and took me by the hand.

He told me it was time to go up to heaven far above,

And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

When tomorrow starts without me, I know that you will cry,

For all my life I’d always thought that I would never die.

I had so much life ahead of me; I had so much to do,

It seems almost impossible that I was leaving you.

When tomorrow starts without me, I think of the good days, and the bad,

I thought of all our fights, next to all the fun we had.

If I could have stayed, just for a little while,

I would say I'd always be here, and then I'd make you smile.

When tomorrow starts without me, I'll realize that this could never be,

As all that would be left of me, is frozen in memories.

Then I thought of all the beautiful things that I would miss tomorrow,

I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.

When tomorrow starts without me I will walk through heaven’s gate,

I will feel at home even without my soul mate.

I know this is what I wanted, deep down within my bones,

And God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne.

When tomorrow starts without me I see everything He promised me,

“Today your life on earth is past, and now you can be free.”

“I promise no tomorrow as today will always last,

And since it's all the same you will not be longing for the past.”

So when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me I’m right here in your heart.

By David Romano