On June 21, 2018 Rose Miller went to heaven to join her husband, Pat, her daughter, Karen, her sister, Betty Ann, grand-daughter, Lacee Miller and grandson, Jon Rushford. There she was also greeted by thousands of people who were blessed and brought closer to God by her example of Christian love through 98 years of life.
Rose Isabel Miller was the first daughter of Nick and Katie Poepping. Her early years were spent on a series of farms until her dad bought what would become the Poepping place with a dollar down and payments as harvest.
Farm life during the Depression years was a struggle. Her brothers Ted, Joe, Will, Norb and her sisters Marie (Keaster) and Anna (White) worked long hours to help pay for the farm and living expenses. Some years, each child got an orange as a Christmas present.
In 1939, Mom’s life changed forever when she met Dad. They were married June 29, 1939, exactly 79 years ago today. Their union produced Wayne, Ronnie and Karen and later Joe, who was born 20 years after Wayne and brought much love and joy to their lives.
Mom was a master homemaker. Dad’s 39 years of income from the East Helena smelter was supplemented by mom’s cooking, canning, baking, sewing, remodeling (the house walls were probably a foot thicker with new layers of sheetrock), picking potatoes at $3.00 a row to pay for St. Helena School annual tuition at $75 X 3.
In the early 1950’s mom took a job at Marketwise, sorting and preparing vegetables for sale to grocery stores and restaurants. Pay was 75 cents an hour, but her years on the farm made her a hard worker.
Because she was the oldest daughter of a large farm family, her education ended at grade school. The courage and daring to apply for a clerical job at State Board of Equalization of Montana in the late 1950’s, at the urging of her friend Laura Schimetz, was amazing. But with 3 teenagers, the family needed the income. She worked there for almost 30 years.
No wife was more beloved by her husband than Mom. Dad called her ‘kutz’, ‘darby doll’, ‘swutz’, ect. They were an amazing couple. Dad was 6’2” and Mom 4’11”. Mom ruled the roost, and that was fine with Dad. They were like a hummingbird and a bull moose, together for 49 years until Dad died in January 1989 at 74.
Mom never remarried; she said she didn’t have the energy to train another husband.
Mom’s biggest fear after Dad died was spending her later years in a nursing home. But through the combined efforts of her children, she lived her final years in her home of 71 years, surrounded by all her family. Her passing at home was painless and peaceful.
Rose Miller is survived by her children Wayne, Ronnie, and Joe; sisters, Anna White and Marie Keaster; 24 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2018 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1502 Shirley Rd., with a reception to follow the Mass in the Social Center of the church. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery following the reception. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Rose.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 29, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Mass
Friday June 29, 2018
Social Center of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday June 29, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday June 29, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Mass
Friday June 29, 2018
Social Center of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Friday June 29, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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Kim Wyndance says
Rose has been a part of my life since I was a baby, always warm and loving. My prayers for comfort for Uncle Ronnie, and all the family always!
Kim
Claudene Cary Carkeek says
Rose was a part of my earliest childhood memories. One of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. Loving and giving. Humble. I will miss her.
Stevie & Dan Erving says
It was great seeing Rose last summer with her family at Applebees. My mom, Amelia Erving, worked with Rose at the State Revenue Department for years but, more importantly, she loved Rose as a sister in Christ. I’m so happy that they have now been reunited for all eternity.
My condolences. Dan Erving
Darlene says
A beautiful obituary for a wonderful lady. We all have certain relatives that fill a large space in our heart. Aunt Rose was one of mine. I have very fond childhood memories of sharing time with her and Uncle Pat, especially going on outings up Avalanche Gulch. Along with her jovial attitude, she always brought the yummiest food. I always loved going to visit her. There was always a special dessert waiting to greet us. I will never forget her Mock Apple Pie, made with soda crackers and how we all laughed when she couldn’t convince my Dad, that is what he was eating. Her talent was beyond amazing. Sewing, ceramics, canning, cooking. It seemed that there was nothing that very tiny person couldn’t do. When I was a little girl wanting to play dress up, she offered to give me several pairs of her high heels to add to my lace curtain bridal collection. I was so disappointed when I found out my foot was 3 times as big as hers. Whenever I needed a hand-me-down dress, altered to fit me just right, we called Aunt Rose. I feel very Blessed to have such wonderful memories of such a wonderful Aunt. I know that Uncle Pat welcomed his “Little Swuts” to Heaven. I love you, Aunt Rose. May you rest in peace
Dick Poepping says
Rose
Wayne, Ronnie, Joe & (Karen)
Rose was such and amazing lady. Will always remember the many laughs especially when she shifted the little red vehicle and watched the wheels spin. She was always happy to see friends and relatives stop by. Remembering back a number of years when Barb would go over every morning so they could take their walk over to Rodney , then down to 11th Ave on to Montana then to *8th (Odie managed to get them both back just in time for coffee.
Thank God for the Great Memories and the Love Rose had for all of us
Rose you will always be in our hearts
Watch over and guide us thru life Rose our Angel Always Love You
Dick, Barb, Lynda
Chelsea Rose Harris says
Everyone, I’m sure has something they associate their relationship to Rose Miller with. Mine was food. Food, to me, is the heart and soul of a person. It is all about cooking and eating with those you love and care for.
Grandma Rose’s House was the epitome of a Grandma’s house. There were always popsicles in the freezer for a hot summer day, the covered porch that reminded me of The Brady Bunch with its early 70’s vibe, crochet and ceramics in every nook and cranny, and it always smelled like fresh baked goods in the kitchen.
Living in Florida, I didn’t get to see my grandma very often, but within minutes of those biennial visits it felt like home. Grandma would always make some delicious spread during our visits. In her later years we would feast at The Suds Hut or Jade Gardens. Never let it be said that Rose Miller did not know good food. During her last visit to Florida, I had just purchased my own home and was eager to prepare a nice dinner for Grandma Rose’s visit. I made homemade meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Nothing too fancy but nonetheless a dish made with love. When Grandma was finished eating she looked at me and said “That was some of the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten in my 91 years.” Isn’t it marvelous how a few simple words, when spoken by the right person, can make you feel as though you’re soaring above clouds? I boast about my grandmother loving my meatloaf to this day each time I make it.
Grandma always had a way with words, she could tell the most mundane story and still have you cracking up. I remember sitting with her and discussing some recipe when I mentioned something about buying meat in bulk and separating them into ziplock freezer bags. Grandma would often complain that her hands aren’t what they used to be so she no longer appreciated the so-called easiness that ziplock had to offer. She looked at me straight faced and said “I can’t get ziplocks open, just the other day I wanted to get some meat open and I couldn’t even get into the darn thing so I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the top off! I thought, there’s more than one way to skin a cat, you know!” Such a huge personality for such a little woman.
Her death is certainly bittersweet. Grandma was ready to make the transition and reunite with Grandpa Pat-and talk about serendipitous timing! If anyone could pull strings with the big man upstairs to make her funeral happen on her 79th wedding anniversary it would definitely be Rose Miller.
My only wish would have been for more face to face time with her so that she could meet my daughter whose middle name she inspired. Although I will not get the extra time I’m sure we all would have liked, I feel blessed and beyond grateful to have had nothing but the happiest memories of my days with Grandma Rose. I love you Grandma. You will be dearly missed.
Maureen Dineen Fisher says
Dear Wayne, Ann and the entire Miller family.
Sending you my love and prayers in the loss of your dear Mother, Rose. That special little lady was an inspiration to all that she encountered.. What a joy to have known her from the time of our birth, Wayne and for almost 77 years since. May she rest in the arms of Our Lord in Heaven. God Bless and keep you Mrs. Miller our friend and mentor.