Marilyn Jean Mueller

Marilyn was born on December 14, 1927 and passed away on May 11, 2024, spanning a wonderful life of 96 years. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin with parents Robert A. Hammes and Mildred Hinrichs Hammes. Marilyn was the oldest of 5 children (including Jack, Dick, Mary Jo and Don). She graduated from West High School in 1946 with names of fondness including "Hammie," "George," "Homey" and "Queenie" - reigning as the May Queen that year too!
Marilyn continued studies at the University of Wisconsin for two years, but then left to follow the dream of becoming an architect. She completed a year of study at Taliesin East and West with Frank Lloyd Wright. This innovative architect continued to be a major influence in her work, fused with a portion of Bauhaus style.
Marilyn then enrolled in the Denver University Architectural School, where she met a young freshman named Hellmut Mueller. When that department dissolved Marilyn and Hellmut completed their studies at the University of Washington. She graduated in1954 and married Hellmut in a beach-side ceremony near Seattle on June 24, 1953.
Marilyn and Hellmut welcomed their first child Carla Marguerite on April 27,1954. They left for the next big adventure to Europe in 1957, with extended family in tow. The passing of Marilyn's father Robert brought their return to the United States in the latter part of 1958. They settled in Edgewater, Colorado driven in part by a love of mountains and skiing. Son Robert Christian joined the family on September 21, 1959.
Marilyn returned to her vocation when Hellmut suffered a serious ski accident that required some healing time. She enjoyed a 6-year stint with the firm Wheeler and Lewis, originally being assigned to the Decoration Department. The architect was paired with work on 12 public schools, becoming a "color and furnishings specialist". Marilyn and Hellmut also made some life-long friends through office colleagues.
After moving to Lakewood in 1965, Marilyn and Hellmut began saving money to build the house of their dreams. This home was completed in 1970 with the whole family pitching in. The abode was a balanced blend of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus, and Colorado mining structure influences, nestled within the trees of the front-range mountains just west of Denver.
The Mueller couple opened a private practice out of their new home and performed 10 years of varied contract work, while navigating the challenges of local economy. Marilyn also became a deeply involved board member and newsletter writer for the citizen initiated Jeffco Open Space program, a devotion she maintained for 35 years. Her efforts within that organization to preserve nature in the community were one of her most celebrated achievements. She also completed a Master of Architecture in Urban Design in May of 1987 and opened a private architectural practice with Marti Russell, which continued until retirement.
Marilyn's true loves were to be found out-of-doors in birdwatching, skiing, hiking, gardening and camping activities. She adored costume parties, gourmet food experiments and holidays, most especially Christmas. She and her husband also took many trips to meet up with long-standing friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Fortified with good wine, the group would take on the challenges of the world before making their way to the Opera. Marilyn loved to travel and see many wonders, but the desert and Santa Fe had a special place in her heart.
Marilyn is survived by husband Hellmut, daughter Carla Marguerite, and son Christian. Her fiery, creative spirit lives on in grandchildren Rulon, Melissa and Sarah and Great Grand Child Braden.
Aspen Mortuaries - Lakewood