Helen Gladys Mueller was born to Dororthy and Alex Altergott on April 7, 1935, and she grew up in Kenosha, WI with her sister Janet. She graduated from UW-Madison, married her college sweetheart, William Earl Mueller, and accompanied him to Japan during Bill's service with the US Army. Helen's time in Japan inspired a love of travel and experiencing new cultures. The Muellers settled in Santa Rosa, CA in the 1960s where Helen taught science at Santa Rosa High School.
In the 1970s, Helen and her two daughters moved to Singapore, where Helen accepted a job teaching science at Singapore American School. They traveled throughout southeast Asia and were particularly fond of Malaysia and Bali. Upon her return to CA, Helen earned her Series 7 license as a financial planner. She was sole proprietor of Mueller Financial Services and taught a popular investment class at Santa Rosa Jr. College, earning a lifetime teaching credential. Helen accepted employment at Bank of America to provide clients with investment education and guidance, and she continued to enjoy travel abroad. She befriended the Gaten Shartse monks who toured northern CA to share their culture and teachings. The monks called her 'Mother Helen' and stayed with her whenever they were in the area.
In 1995, Helen fell in love with Sedona, AZ and built a house in the Chapel neighborhood. Seeing a natural fit, she was responsible for bringing the Sacred Arts of Tibet tour to Sedona. In addition to studying Buddhism, Helen became a Reiki Master in both the Usui and Karuna traditions, an ordained minister of The Universal Life Church and a member of The American Dowsing Society. She held weekly dowsing sessions at her home to perform the Grace Clearing. Helen was a member of the Sedona Westerners Hiking Club and volunteered at the Sedona Public Library.
She moved back to California in 2016 to spend her last years in the care of her eldest daughter. Helen passed over on January 2, 2024, and is survived by her daughters, Susan Mueller and Cathy Orme, and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen will be remembered and missed for her loving heart, undeniable spark, generosity and support of others, wit, humor and a smile that lit up every room.