Obituaries : Shirley J. Miller

Shirley Jean Miller, 91, of Luzerne, IA passed away November 14, 2021 at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA.

Shirley was born December 13, 1929 to Harold and Norma (Cronbaugh) Slaymaker at home. She enjoyed playing basketball for Victor High School and graduated in 1948. Shirley continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa, earning her teaching certificate. She taught at Honey Creek #4 in rural Victor. On December 28, 1949 Shirley married Max Miller at Victor United Methodist Church. After farming for others for a few years, the couple purchased their first farm in rural Blairstown. Then in 1960 they purchased a farm in rural Luzerne, known as Burr Oak Ranch. Shirley was blessed to be able to stay home and raise her six children on the farm. Shirley and Max stayed on the farm until 2012, when they moved to assisted living centers in Cedar Rapids.

Shirley enjoyed being outdoors and knew how to live off the land, raising chickens, milking cows, tending large vegetable gardens and fruit trees, growing popcorn and canning. She was an amazing cook, making large, homemade meals from scratch for her family and all the farm hands. She loved socializing and having family and friends gather at the farm, making sure all her guest left with armfuls of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Together with Max, she enjoyed playing pepper in the neighborhood card club and bowling at Belle Plaine Bowl, where Shirley was part of the women's league.

In her later years she liked to watch wheel of fortune and was know as the "scrabble queen" throughout several Meth-Wick Community and most recently Ridge View assisted living centers in Cedar Rapids. She treasured time traveling with her children to family gatherings.

She was a member of Eastern Star and was active in her faith as a member of the Blairstown United Methodist Church and women's group.

Throughout her life Shirley was known for her love of flowers, from her huge flower gardens on the farm, to a room full of flowers brought to her in the living centers by her children.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Thomas (Brenda) Miller, Mark (Cathy) Miller, Matthew (Trisha) Miller all of Luzerne; daughters, Kathy (Ron) Johnson of Ames, Julie (John) Freeman of Cedar Rapids, Joanne (Doug) Schminke of Belle Plaine; grandchildren, Heather (Ben), Garrett, Colton (Alexis), Meghan (Zakk) Terra (Ryan), Makayla (Ethan) Abigail, Damon, Nathan, Justina (Kurt), Jace, Janessa (Lucas) Melissa (Jason), Bridgette (Jacob) and Marlee; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Landon, Liam, Uriah, Adelina, Ross, Jacob and Abram; siblings, Betty King of Cedar Rapids, Leslie (Sandy) Slaymaker of Victor; sister-in-law, Janet Slaymaker of Leighton; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Max (2014); grandson, Christopher; brother, Marvin; and brother-in-law, Frances; son-in-law, Dick Vilmont.

Service is 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 19, 2021 at Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine. Service will also be livestreamed through the funeral service Facebook page. Burial will take place at Ladora Cemetery, Ladora, IA.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 18th at Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Belle Plaine. Memorials may be directed to Heifer Project International, DAV, Cancer Research or Make-A-Wish Foundation. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.neuhausfuneralservice.com