Harvey Lee Mueller, age 86, died Dec. 20, 2025, at Grace Homes in Granbury, Texas.
Harvey was born April 24, 1939, in Seward, to Edwin and Sophie Mueller (Idhe). He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. He graduated from Seward High School in 1957, a year that marked the beginning of a life full of purpose and service. Shortly after, Harvey enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly completed his basic training and served with honor.
After his service, Harvey went on to become a dedicated drywall contractor, working for a time with a company out of Lincoln before co-founding Mueller and Schoepf Drywall. Alongside his work, Harvey developed a passion for restoring homes, buying, moving, and breathing new life into many houses around the Columbus area. This was just one of the ways Harvey demonstrated his natural gift for fixing and transforming, always looking for the hidden beauty in what others might overlook.
On Oct. 1, 1961, Harvey married the love of his life, Shirdelle Gierhan, and together they built a life full of love, laughter and a shared commitment to their family and faith. Harvey and Shirdelle were blessed with four children, Sonya (Ken) Stryczek, Shawn (Julie) Mueller, Stacey (Michael) Meyer, and Shannon (Nicole) Mueller, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought him immense joy. Harvey’s family meant the world to him, and he cherished every moment spent with them, especially his time spoiling his grandchildren.
Harvey was a proud member of the Jaycees, the Loyal Club, and long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he had been an active participant in his faith community until he moved to Seward and then to Texas. His love for God, his family, and his country were at the core of who he was. He also had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.
He had a talent for finding treasures – “diamonds in the rough” – he could restore and make new. He also loved garage sales, auctions and finding “a good deal!” His family also remembers the amazing foot massages he would love to give, playing cards, and the small short phrases he would use that became known as “Harvey-isms.”
Harvey was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirdelle; his parents, Edwin and Sophie; his in-laws, Fred and Esther Gierhan; his brothers, Eldon, Lyle and Orin; and his sister, Leora. He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Children: Sonya (Ken) Stryczek of Barrington, Illinois, Shawn (Julie) Mueller of Papillion, Stacey (Michael) Meyer of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Shannon (Nicole) Mueller of Granbury
Grandchildren: Jessica Mueller (Mattais Reyes), Shane (Laurel) Mueller, Joseph Mueller, Sarah Mueller, Brianna (Luke) Hale, Courtney Meyer, Zachary Stryczek (Danielle Russel), Caleb (Jaedyn) Meyer, Brock Mueller, Colton Meyer, Alexa Mueller, Clayton Meyer and Cooper Meyer
Great-grandchildren: Theodore Mueller and Beckett Meyer
He is also survived by his siblings, Wayne Mueller, and Ronnie (Joanne) Mueller; in-laws, Ron (Sharon) Gierhan, Curt (Doris) Gierhan, Glenda (David) Dobbertein, and Stan (Diane) Gierhan; and many nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, March 13, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home. A memorial service will be Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Utica. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Habitat for Humanity of Columbus, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Rogers, Arkansas, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
