Luella Miller, former resident of East Helena, Montana, passed away April 21, 2014, at the Veterans Home in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Luella Christine, daughter of George and Hilda Abenroth, was born September 15, 1917, on her parents homestead near Plentywood, Montana. Luella was the fifth of eight siblings. Life on the homestead instilled in her a deep respect and love for the beauties of nature. Life on the homestead also developed her amazing, creative and self-reliant talents.
Luella and Fred Miller were married on January 1, 1948. They settled in East Helena where Fred worked at the zinc smelter. Their home on Manlove Avenue boasted a basement that Fred and Luella dug by hand. Luella was a master gardener. The Miller family feasted on fresh produce during the summer months, and during the winter, they continued to enjoy the garden produce Luella had canned. She loved flowers and their home was surrounded by multiple flower gardens full of colorful, beautiful flowers. Luella was equally adept at shingling the roof, minor plumbing repairs, sewing beautiful clothes for her three daughters and herself, crocheting intricate doilies, and cooking delicious meals. A flat-lander at heart, she grew to love the mountains around Helena and the family’s fishing, hunting, and picnic outings. She loved being in the great outdoors surrounded by the wonders of nature, and deeply loved God who created those wonders.
In later years, Luella felt fortunate to return to Plentywood for several years to help her sister Edith care for their sister, Mary. She also treasured the years she was with her sister Helen and nephew Tony in Phoenix.
In September, 2010, Luella moved to Racine, Wisconsin to be near her daughter and son-in-law. Her garden at her apartment in Racine was smaller than her garden in East Helena, but her green thumb worked wonders on pots of tomatoes and flowers on her patio. When she needed additional care, Luella moved to the Veterans Home, Union Grove, Wisconsin, in August 2013.
Luella is predeceased by her husband Fred in 1976, her daughter Roberta Bomar in 2013, her parents, brothers Carl, Albert and August, and sisters Mary and Helen. She is survived by two daughters: Rose (Ken) Blakeman, Racine, Wisconsin and R. Margaret (Mike) Frisina, Butte, Montana; son-in-law Boyd Bomar, East Helena, Montana; four grandchildren: Brad (Jenny) Bomar, Helena, Montana; Jennifer (Shawn) Corbett, Helena, Montana; Lance Blakeman, Cincinnati, Ohio; Kenion Blakeman, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; two great-grandsons; Nicholas and Michael Corbett, Helena, Montana; brother George Abenroth, Walla Walla, Washington; sister Edith Hufford, Boise, ID; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Luella’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staffs at Home Harbor, Racine, Wisconsin; Unit 1West, Boland Hall, Veterans Home, Union Grove, Wisconsin; and VITAS Hospice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the comforting care during Luella’s final years. To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Luella please visit below.
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson STevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m.
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson STevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Monday April 28, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
,
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Jenny and Brad Bomar says
We will miss her. A fun recant memory of her is when we went to Wisconsin to visit a few years ago and we went on a boat ride and had dinner together and spent time with her for a few days. Rose and Ken were with us as well. 🙂
It was fun.
With love Brad and Jenny Bomar
Minnie (Murray) Scholze says
Just happened to see this while looking for something else….my sympathy to you Rose and all of your family…one always misses a mother but glad for special memories. Marv & Minnie Scholze
Val Seaver says
Luella is a treasure I almost missed, but visiting her this past few years was something I’ll carry in my heart forever. It’s a comfort to know she is finally at rest after a long, full life. I’ll miss our walks, giggles & scrabble games, dear…. Val Seaver
Elsie Abenroth Summers says
I am sorry for your loss. Just wanted to share with you that while Aunt Luella was in Phoenix, I had the opportunity to visit. As was the custom for the generation, it wouldn’t do but for us to stay for a meal. She and Aunt Helen provided us with a wonderful barbecued salmon and “all the fixin’s”. What a joy to be able to see them both at that time.
I also remember the short visit when I was about 12 at the family home in East Helena (meeting Rose and Ruth) and the time we stayed (Stella Abenroth, Harold and Doris Goetzinger and me) on a trip to Plentywood for the 50th anniversary celebration for Eldred and Lucille Goetzinger. Though the times were few I remember her as a kind and caring aunt who always welcomed all her family. Elsie
Arlene Henke says
The last time I saw Luella: my husband, Miles, and I, and our two boys, visited Luella and Helen in Phoenix. I think it was in 2010. It was during the holiday season, after Christmas. The weather was moderate (in the 60s). Luella and Helen had ordered in fried chicken and had dinner already. The first thing we noticed as we walked in the house was that all the shades were pulled close and it felt like 90 degrees! 🙂 They said “it was winter” after all. Luella did open the drapes and we had a sunny afternoon and a lovely visit. Remember that we connected with my father via cell phone on the speaker phone. So they had a rare visit with dad, and I think we also called George and Dorothy at that time too. They were amazed how well they could hear on the little cell phone. Remember that Luella had injured her arm and it just wasn’t healing. She did seem frail. I know that she and Helen were good company for each other and know that Tony helped them both. I saw Luella ocassionally at the Manhattan conventions in Montana. Always enjoyed a visit with her. She had such a sweet, humble way about her. Very kind. Know it must have been hard for her the last months when one isn’t so well or so able any more. But know that her living faith and trust in the Lord meant so much to her. She always seemed to have so much to be thankful for. Was always so appreciative of any phone call or letter. A gentle soul. Know she will be missed, she will also be remembered!