Kimberly Kay Mueller

November 23, 1961 - December 27, 2020

Kimberly Kay McKee Mueller saddled Maiden Doll and rode away into the sunrise on December 27th, 2020. Kim was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 23rd, 1961, to Keith and Rosalee McKee. Joining a pony club at a young age led to her lifelong love of all things horse, a passion that only dimmed with the onset of Frontotemporal dementia, the disease that took her life. Kim’s family moved to a ranch in California, Missouri, which allowed the whole family to participate in farm life, dominated by active participation in horse shows, training, and enjoying country life. After graduation from California High School at age 16, Kim attended CMSU and graduated with a degree in animal science. While her dream was to work with horses, Kim decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a nurse. Life wasn’t all horses and nursing. On October 3, 1992, Kim married Gary Mueller. The Mueller Family moved to a ranch in rural Howard County and was soon expanded when Brandi Lee Mueller was born. Kim’s passion for horses was absolutely overtaken by the joy of having a baby girl to love, nurture, spoil and teach about horses. Kim continued to work in the nursing field after Brandi was born, serving in many Columbia medical areas, always with dedication and skill. After 5 years of stellar service at the VA, she went on to work at UMCHC, giving of her talents to the Department of Neurology, Medical Specialties, and Pediatric Orthopedics. In the fall of 2013, Kim was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that is frequently diagnosed in younger adults. Due to difficulties of FTD, Kim had already retired from nursing in 2011, hoping to spend more time with her family and horses. As dementia continued to rob Kim of her wondrous “Kimness” her family took over her care. Her husband retired early from his job to care for her, promising her that he would keep her home and take care of her horses. True to his word, Gary lovingly and gently cared for Kim at home with the help of Brandi and friends until she took her last breath at their beloved ranch. Kim is survived by her husband Gary, their daughter Brandi, stepsons David Mueller (Shelby and son Luca) and Daniel Mueller (Lindsey and son Sidney and daughter Dawn), mother Rosalee Schaeffer McKee, sister Megan McKee (Dave Stuckenschneider), sister-in-law Vickie Zastrow, mother-in-law Susanna Mueller, brother-in-law Kevin Mueller, nieces, a nephew, eight horses and eight cats. Kim was preceded in death by her father Keith McKee, her brother Guy Zastrow, and her nephew Mark Zastrow. The Mueller Family would like to thank Dr. Joel Shenker, Dr. Benjamin Crenshaw, Hospice Compassus, the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Missouri Chapter including Janie Bonham and Pam Richmond, and Million-Taylor Funeral Home for their assistance on this long journey. No services are planned. Memorial donations can be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org) or Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Columbia, Missouri (alz.org/comowalk). Million Taylor Funeral Homes of Moberly, Missouri, in charge of arrangements.