Maria Mueller

Maria A. Mueller, 95, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Brookdale Wornall Place.

Maria was born October 14, 1926, to Salvatore and Katherine LaSala, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was a lifelong resident. Maria was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena parish and a strong believer in praying the rosary. She enjoyed participating in the Sicilian festival honoring her namesake, St. Maria Audencia, celebrated each May at Holy Rosary. She was a 1943 graduate of Avila University and remained an active member of the Avila alumni association. She was a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital for over 20 years. Maria was married over 50 years to Richard (Dick) R. Mueller who preceded her in death on January 14, 2001. Dick and Maria met on a double date and fell head over heels in love with one another. Over the years, Maria and Dick enjoyed traveling the country with their close friends and family. Maria was fortunate enough to visit Italy to celebrate her 80th birthday with all of her daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren which was such a blessing. Proud of her Italian heritage, she believed that family is everything (la Familia es tutu). She devoted her life to this belief, spending much time “visiting” with family and friends and attending family reunion picnics. She had a warm, upbeat personality and loved to laugh. Maria was a great cook who enjoyed hosting Sunday pasta and St. Joseph Day dinners, and she loved teaching others to make biscotti and other family recipes. She loved music and enjoyed impromptu concerts put on by her grandchildren, who along with her great grandchildren, were the loves of her life. She loved them unconditionally and was their greatest advocate. In her eyes, they were perfect. In her time (over 10 years) as a resident of Brookdale, she enjoyed playing bridge and socializing with the residents and staff who eventually became her second family. Maria was especially known for her tenacity and determination. After suffering a stroke at age 83, the way Maria continued to persevere was truly inspiring. She had such a love for life that she rarely became depressed and instead focused on listening to everyone she came in contact with. To know her was to love her.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, brother, Carl LaSala and sister-in laws, Beatrice and Carol LaSala; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim Krebs and Robert and Ann Mueller, Ed and Margaret Mueller, Joseph and Shirley Mueller. Survivors include four daughters, Kathy Schilling (Donald), Mary Beth Williamson (Tom), Julia Mueller Corriston and Lisa Mueller; a brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Delia LaSala of Sacramento, CA; a brother Phil LaSala of Oklahoma City, OK and sister-in-law JoAnn Krebs of Westland, MI; grandchildren Derek Eichelberger, Beth (Schilling) Kiddle (Dan), Lea (Corriston) Petrie (William), Neil Corriston (Jessi) all of Kansas City, MO; Patrick Schilling (Diana) of Houston, TX, Kelsey Williamson of Tulsa, OK, Kim (Williamson) Dickinson (Scott) of Durango, CO; nine great grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to acknowledge the special care she received from Brookdale and Ascend Hospice, especially Kailynn and Linda, who treated Maria with love and respect and are cherished by the family more than words can express.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4101 E. 105th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64137, with visitation from 9:00-10:30 a.m., including rosary. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Siena (https://saintcatherine.com/about/online-giving/) or Ascend Hospice (783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064).