Mary Frances Miller

Funeral services for Mary F. Miller, 80, will be Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Crawford, Nebraska with Father Arul Innaiah, Father Bernard Berger and Tim Stoner officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Crawford, Nebraska. A Wake will be Friday, May 8, 2015, at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Mary Frances Hagemeister Miller was born July 10, 1934, to Henry L. Hagemeister and Isabel R. (Richardson) Hagemeister in Lusk, Wyoming. Mary passed away on May 6, 2015, at her home in Crawford.

She grew up in Crawford for most of her early years, and spent her freshman year of high school with her uncle Frank and aunt Georgia Hagemeister in Scottsbluff. Mary was the oldest of eight children. She worked in the Crawford bakery during her high school years, and worked as a telephone operator after high school, before she was married. Mary became the bride of her high school sweetheart Melvin Miller on May 29, 1953, and devoted the rest of her life to being his partner and loving wife. She had nine children of her own, and helped raise her three youngest sisters after the death of her mother in 1964. Each summer, after the girls were out of school, Mary would welcome them into the Miller home and loved them as her own.

Mary was a very creative person, who taught herself to decorate cakes and took classes in creative sewing stitches. She had a servant's heart, and served the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in many areas, including Altar Society. She was always available to anyone who needed a helping hand and a compassionate ear.

While being a farmer's wife and raising nine children, she would find time to raise a garden and chickens, and serve neighbors during the branding season. Mary loved to go on picnics and the annual 4th of July parade and rodeo in Crawford.

Mary loved babies and was able to to enjoy many happy family times with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her nine children, Chuck (Veronica) Miller of Custer, SD; Tom Miller of Torrington, WY; Jim (Laurie) Miller of Crawford; Laurie (Harold) Ponserella of Strasburg, CO; and Sandy (John) Orr of Rushville; twenty-four grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Melvin; both of her parents; one brother; a daughter-in-law; two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Fire Department. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, Nebraska 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com. Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford in charge of arrangements.

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