Laura E. Mueller

Late in the morning of July 22nd, Laura Mueller passed away peacefully at her home. Born on October 14, 1947, Laura was one of those rare people who brought joy into the lives of all who knew her. She accepted people for who they are and she saw only the vitality in people, never the flaws.
To be a member of one of Laura's many circles was a privilege. Classrooms full of Madison's young children couldn't have known about the extra hours she spent working to improve their lives. They only knew that their favorite teacher was quick with a smile and long on patience. She didn't just teach subjects, she built character.
She took particular interest in some of her more challenging students. A little boy from a difficult home had safe refuge in Mrs. Mueller's home one night each week. And one night each year, all of her students could count themselves lucky go to a sleepover at Mrs. Mueller's house.
Her fellow teachers, including those she mentored after her retirement, saw how she understood the whole child. One teacher said, ""When she stepped into the classroom, the world fell away and she became part of their world."" She was, ""a champion among teachers.""
Laura was a special friend to have whether you were one of the WOGs (Women of God), the BBs (decidedly not women of god), a parent of a former student or one of the many other people she drew into her life. They could count on Laura for a deep, spiritual conversation as well as sidesplitting humor. Laura was always positive, never down.
She was especially important to friends and family members facing daunting challenges in their lives. With Laura at their side, they knew they could conquer the darkness.
Her brothers and sisters understood that the party never really began until Laurie showed up. Family gatherings will be considerably less colorful without her stories, some of which her mother would have found entirely inappropriate. Her sister Mary will certainly miss the daily phone chats with her sister and best friend.
Laura also had a ten-year relationship with the doctors, nurses and staff at the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center. While she certainly appreciated their skills, she especially appreciated their humanity. She would want special mention made of Dr. Howard Bailey, Dr. Fred Lee, Barb, Kevin and all the friendly faces at the front desk in the Cancer Center.
Her closest circle, those who lost the most on that July morning, includes her husband Jim, her daughter Jessica Gilkison (Stuart) and granddaughter, Piper. Jessica joined her mom on a long, winding journey through life. Through Laura's medical challenges, Jessica was always at her side as an advocate, sounding board, traveling companion and best friend. Jessica has all of the qualities Laura wanted to instill in her students. In Piper, Laura saw so much life, so much talent and such a shining future. Amah was always so proud.
Laura met her loving husband Jim (Jimmy) in 1976 at a Monona block party. They were married three years later, a partnership that lasted thirty-two years and one day. How fitting that the nicest guy in Madison found the nicest woman in town, and how fortunate that he turned out to be the patient, loving caregiver she needed.
Join our family in celebrating Laura's life. Visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, WI on Monday, August 1st, from four to seven p.m., and Tuesday, August 2nd, at Olbrich Gardens 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704 at 10 a.m., immediately followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Center for Patient Partnerships, 975 Bascom Mall, University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, Suite 4311, Madison Wisconsin, 53706-1399; or the UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Avenue.