A funeral to honor Marlene’s life will be Friday, August 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. The Rev. Gerald Owens will officiate. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026 at the Friona Cemetery in Friona, Texas.
Alice Marlene Mueller was born October 3, 1948, in Haskell, Texas, to William Oris and Laura Alice Sellers Irvin. She married the love of her life, Joe Alvin Mueller, on March 24,1967, in Stamford, Texas, at the home of Joe’s parents.
In 1972, Marlene and Joe moved their family to Friona, Texas, where they made their home and raised their son and daughter. Marlene was active in the Friona Riding Club and the Friona Country Club and enjoyed being involved in her community.
Marlene had a great love of life and found joy in many things. She enjoyed gardening, golfing, camping, fishing, crafts, painting, making things with her hands, and spending time with her pets. But perhaps more than anything, Marlene loved being surrounded by her family. When her children were young, she enjoyed being at home with them and became the neighborhood babysitter, welcoming neighborhood children into her home. Once her children started school, Marlene worked in the school cafeteria so she could be home when school was out.
Marlene later worked for Perry’s for several years before completing her career working as a bookkeeper at the Friona Star, retiring in 2010. That same year, she and Joe moved to Amarillo, where they made their home to be closer to their granddaughters. Marlene and Joe were members of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
Joe preceded Marlene in death in 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings: her brother, Bobby Irvin, and his wife, Billye; her sister, Mayme Gee, and her husband, Everett; her brother, Sonny Irvin; her twin sister, Darlene Swinney; and her brother, Ricky Irvin. She was also preceded in death by her son, Monty Dwaine Mueller; her nephew, Joey Swinney; and her niece, Rhonda Irvin.
Marlene is survived by her daughter, Staci Mueller Duran, and her husband, Andre; her granddaughter, Taylor Gilbert, and her husband, Brandon; her granddaughter, Kyndali Duran. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Bill Swinney; her sister-in-law, Lynn Irvin.
She had a love for the Lord and a gift of making those around her feel loved and seen. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.