Mildred Laverne Miller

Mildred Laverna Miller

Mildred left this world to be with her Lord on January 15^th 2021.  She was a devoted wife, a loving Mother, a faithful friend and a good and kind woman.  She touched the lives of many and helped to shape them through her example.  She created a safe place for her children, her grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren and for many unrelated children who just needed a place to feel loved and a good home cooked meal.

Mildred was born on November 30^th 1922 in Russell, Iowa and was 98 at the time of her death.  She married Ralph Miller on March 2, 1940 and they were married just a few weeks short of 65 years when Ralph passed away at the age of 88.  They had 11 children, 4 boys and 7 girls!

Mildred and Ralph lived in Russell, Iowa until they moved to Lead Hill, Arkansas in 1944.  They lived on a farm there and owned a Grade-A Dairy business and raised livestock and crops.

In 1963 they took their growing family back to Iowa, working a farm near Chariton.  They raised hogs, crops and honey bees, selling bottled honey in a several state region.  While Ralph and the children worked the farm, Mildred managed the home.  She taught her children to cook and do all the other tasks that are required to run a home.  She was a fantastic cook and baker!

In 1967 the family moved to Friona, Texas and into town for the first time.  Ralph sold insurance and Mildred continued with her homemaking.  The town life didn’t suit them much and in 1969 they moved their family to Delta, Colorado.

The family settled down in Delta and made a new life.  Mildred and Ralph owned and operated the Miller True Value Hardware store in Delta.  They also had a peach orchard in Austin and many a dribbly chin was seen walking out from those trees!

Mildred’s (Mama’s) home was always a welcoming place.  It often smelled of homemade bread or something else equally delicious.  She showed her love by feeding people and continued to bake chocolate chip cookies to take to church up until she was no longer able to attend.  Mama loved to sing and sang with the church praise team.  She enjoyed and responded to music up until the very last days of her life.  Mama had perfect arms for cradling babies and many babies and children found comfort there.

Mildred is preceded in death by her husband of almost 65 years, Ralph Miller, her father and mother Percy and Maude Zimmer, brother Floyd Zimmer, her sons Charles Miller and Kenneth Miller and her daughter Juanita Robinson.

Mildred is survived by 6 daughters and 2 sons:  Janet (Carron) Hickie, State Center,  Iowa; Carol (Jim) Thompson, Smithville, Ohio; Marie (Gary) Williams, Springfield, Mo; Dorothy (Gary) Wear, Delta; Diana (Jim) Thuma, Austin, Co; Mary Roberts, Sherman, Texas;  Floyd (Carol) Miller, Delta, Co; Don (Jen) Miller, Delta,  Co.  She is also survived by daughter-in-law Jenn Miller, Cedaredge, Co and son-in-law Jeff Robinson, Grand Junction, Co as well as many grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren.

Mildred spent the last almost 2 years of her life in Willow Tree Care Center in Delta, under the watchful eyes and loving hearts of so many.  The family would like to express our eternal gratitude for the exceptional care she received there.  Thank you for all the love you gave our mother when we could not be there with her.  We know she loved you and thought of you as family.

We ask that anyone wishing to send contributions or flowers send them to Willow Tree Care Center in Mildred’s name.

Mildred will be laid to rest at a private ceremony.  Burial arrangements are being handled by Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, Co.