Leona Mae Miller

Obituary

Leona Mae Miller was born May 1, 1926, at her parents’ farm home in Melville Township, Renville County, rural Bird Island, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Arthur “Pete” and Della (Roberts) Witte.  She was baptized on June 27, 1926, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hector, and confirmed in her faith on June 8, 1941, at First Lutheran Church in Hector. Leona grew up in Melville Township, and graduated from the Hector High School in 1944.

On January 6, 1945, Leona was united in marriage to Myron “Pete” Miller at the First Lutheran Church parsonage in Hector. Their marriage was blessed with seven children: Barry, Barbara, Mark, Jack, Tammy, Kelly, and Michele.  Leona and Myron lived and farmed in the Hector area, and moved into Hector during the summer of 1991.  Myron passed away on April 13, 1994, and Leona continued living in Hector.  When she needed additional care, she moved into the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center in 2012.

Leona was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hector.  She worked alongside her husband on the farm, and enjoyed her role as a farm wife and homemaker.  She had also worked at Green Giant, Fingerhut, and later at CSI as a forklift driver.  Leona was a strong woman whose door was always open, and once you entered her home, you were immediately fed.  She treasured all kids, and worked at school helping students read.  She taught her children the value of hard work and family support and love.  Leona kept busy in her flower and vegetable gardens, and was a great cook and baker.  She liked to sew, mend, and watch TV.  She enjoyed watching sports, and loved attending the many sporting events in which her children and grandchildren were involved.  Leona loved her family.

In the early morning hours of Friday, September 18, 2015, Leona passed away at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, having reached the age of 89 years.  Blessed be her memory.

Leona is survived by her children: Barry Miller and his wife Patricia of Downers Grove, Illinois, Barbara Frank and her husband Michael of Pillager, Minnesota, Mark Miller and his wife Cynthia of Tamarack, Minnesota, Jack Miller and his wife Kim of Hector, Minnesota, Tammy Miller-Hess and her husband Steve of Clear Lake, Minnesota, Kelly Miller of Willmar, Minnesota, and Michele Hagen and her husband Gerald of Bird Island, Minnesota; grandchildren:  Peter (Karen) Miller, Julie (Fred) Boshardt, Christa (Timon) Fitzpatrick, Tessa (Joshua) Dickinson, Drew (Tiffany) Miller, Brandon (Lisa) Miller, Leah (Greg) Skerik; 15 Great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Della, husband Myron, and by her sisters, Elnora Witte and Ruth Garberich.