Mary Helen Burkhalter Mueller passed from this life into the arms of her Lord on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the age of 98. She was born at home in San Antonio, March 2, 1927, to Miller Floyd and Antoinette Burkhalter. She was educated by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, from St. Ann's grade school through Incarnate Word High School and College, graduating in 1948. She taught elementary school for several years before marrying her high school sweetheart, Edwin ("Eddie") Lee Mueller, a year before he graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Returning to San Antonio, she devoted her life as a homemaker, dedicated wife and proud mother, raising and nurturing their eight children and supporting them and her husband in all their endeavors. In 1977 Mary Helen and Eddie took a leap of faith and moved to a ranch near Boerne, Texas, where for thirteen years she lived the life of a pioneer woman, tending sheep, chickens, horses, pigs and cows, even delivering a breech calf.  They then moved back to San Antonio.  After their children were grown, she managed Eddie's Family Practice medical office until he retired in 1994. They shared 66 years of love for each other and their family until Eddie's death in 2016.

Devoted to her Lord, Mary Helen was active in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for many years, especially in the Altar Society, Holy Name Society, VSP Seniors Group, and Meals on Wheels. She also was a member of Sultanas de Bejar and Oblate Associates. Mary Helen was an avid games player, especially enjoying Words with Friends, and she almost always won at Scrabble and games such as Yahtze and Blockus. She enjoyed square dancing and gardening, and she was especially fond of tending her roses and enjoying their fragrant blooms. She was not afraid of technology and was proud of her ability to use the computer and participate in Zoom family meetings, and she kept everyone up to date texting on her iPhone.  She was proud of her beloved USA and kept abreast of public affairs and politics.

Her greatest joys were the times spent for many years at their Canyon Lake vacation home with her large family, each of whom she prayed for daily by name—her special family litany. Recently, with the help of her daughters and granddaughter Stephanie Roth, and as a legacy for her family, she published histories of the Mueller and Burkhalter ancestors, using stories and material she had learned about and collected over the years.

Mary Helen had a wondrous and vibrant joy of life that she freely shared with everyone she met. She always thought of others and how to make their lives a bit better. She had a lovely smile and eyes that shone with the love of God. Everyone who knew her loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Miller F. Burkhalter, Jr.; sister-in-law, Mayme Monestier Burkhalter; husband, Edwin L. Mueller, Jr., M.D; and son, Richard. She is survived by her children: Marylee Kott (Edward) of Houston; Thomas (Donna) of Fayetteville; Douglas (Melanie) of San Antonio; Francis (Cheryl) of San Antonio; Susan Zapalac (Kenneth) of La Grange; Steven (Joyce) of Houston; James (Katherine) of Burnet; daughters-in-law, Martha Mueller of Dallas and Mary Ellen O'Banion of Coeur d'Alene, ID; 23 grandchildren and their spouses; and 44 great-grandchildren.

We are forever grateful for the loving companionship and tender care given our mother by Pauline Martinez and Alicia Lopez over the last several years, and for all the other wonderful helpers from Avionn Home Health Care, carefully organized by Debbie Jacobs, who have made our mother's last days more comfortable.

Funeral Services

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Visitation:  4 o'clock

Rosary:  5 o'clock

The Angelus Funeral Home Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78215

Monday, April 14, 2025

Memorial Mass (livestream)

10:30 o'clock

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

600 Oblate Dr., San Antonio, TX 78216

*Please wear bright colors, as we are celebrating the life of

a joyful person and her entry into her eternal reward.

Private Interment

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to the:

Incarnate Word/Retired Sisters--Development Office

4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209-6209 or to the

Oblate Lourdes Grotto

5712 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216 (grottosa.org) or to

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

600 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX 78216

or to the charity of your choice