Heather Muller's life was filled with music
By RON SYLVESTER - The Wichita Eagle - Posted on Fri, Oct. 04, 2002
This article ran December 16, 2000
Heather Suzanne Muller lived with the enthusiasm of a voice lifted in song. But the beautiful alto whom friends remember singing from her soul fell silent Friday morning to gunshots that left the 25-year-old woman and three other people dead.
The violent end contradicted Muller's life, described as vivacious and charitable by those who knew her through her talent for music, her dedication to church and a desire to help children.
While a graduate student of special education at Wichita State University, Muller worked for the preschool at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She served on the Youth and Young Adult Ministries board for the Catholic Diocese and volunteered as night secretary for the St. Paul Parish-Newman Center at WSU. She also gave piano lessons.
"I know when someone dies like this, there's a tendency for people to talk about how saintly the person was, but Heather really was a wonderful, wonderfu l person," said the Rev. Matthew McGinness of St. Paul.
Muller spent the last night of her life at a meeting planning the Catholic student center's 50th anniversary before leaving around 8 p.m. to visit Aaron Sander, whom she had dated. Sander also died in Friday's nightmarish scenario.
As names of the victims trickled out throughout the day Friday, the news triggered an outpouring of feelings in those touched by Muller.
"I was telling my wife that I can't remember enjoying another student more than Heather, and I taught for 43 years," said Harrison Boughton, a recently retired vocal music professor at WSU. "Everyone loved Heather."
Muller performed in the WSU Concert Chorale in 1998-99 and continued to sing in the choir at St. Paul.
That singing voice impressed others throughout Muller's life, leaving an indelible memory for counselors Thomas Lahan and Liana Torkelson at Kapaun Mount Carmel High School. Both Heather and her younger sister Tania shared a musical talent they displayed in Kapaun's choirs and theatrical productions.
"Both girls were highly visible in the fine arts," Lahan said. "They were vivacious and quite gregarious."
Heather Muller, who graduated three years ahead of her sister in 1993, belonged to the French Club and made the school's Madrigal Choir as a junior and senior.
"Most people only spend their senior year in Madrigal," Lahan said.
Muller sang the lead role of Kim in the school's production of "Miss Saigon" her senior year and qualified for the State Festival Choir. She participated in the school's Mission Club, which raised money to aid an orphanage in Venezuela, and sang and acted in the local theater troupes.
In the wake of the shootings, McGinness said he drew comfort from knowing how prayerful Muller was and the strength of her relationship with God.
"That's what gives me peace," he said, "about where she is now."
Contributing: Stan Finger of The Eagle
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