- Born on: September 8, 1929
- Departed on: January 22, 2025
- Resided in: Clermont, IA
Lois Ruth Miller
Lois Miller, 95, passed away peacefully in her home early in the morning on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was born on September 8, 1929, to Louis and Ruth (Shipton) Olson. She was baptized on December 7, 1930, and confirmed on May 28, 1944, at West Clermont Lutheran Church and graduated from Clermont High in 1946. Upon graduation, Lois attended Upper Iowa University and tutored young men returning from WWII.
On April 25, 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart, Willet Miller, and they were married for 69 years upon his passing. To this union, five children were born: Leslie (Pauline) Miller, Paul (Carol) Miller, Christian (Stefania) Miller, Caroline (Kevin) Bemiss, and David (Karen) Miller.
Lois and Willet farmed for 30 years beginning in 1948 and established a registered dairy herd called “Wilomi Holsteins.” In 1978, they sold the farm to their son, Christian, and in 2024, it was certified as a century farm.
Lois drove the school bus for Valley Community School District for over ten years in the 1970’s. She was the first woman elected to the board of Fayette County Supervisors in 1982 and served two terms. Upon retirement in 1991, she and Willet moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas to be near Willet’s sister, Augusta “Tootie” Jensen. They enjoyed square dancing and golfing year-round. In 2000, they moved back to Clermont for the summers and wintered in Mission, Texas where they were able to square dance even more.
Lois loved her family greatly and enjoyed watching her grandchildren in musical and sporting events. She was very active in Sarah Circle, playing golf, feeding birds, and playing cards weekly with her dear friends.
Lois will be dearly missed by her family. She is survived by her five children, 17 grandchildren: Zach (Amanda) Miller, Sarah Miller, Jennifer (Mike) Elsbernd, Lisa (Matt) Grimm, John (Amber) Miller, Christopher (Kate) Miller, Alissa (Max) Gunsolly, Marcel Coco, Anton (Jarka) Coco, Patrik Coco, Laura Haskenhoff, Andrew (Dani) Haskenhoff, Kedrick (Ciara) Bemiss, Jenna (Collin) Kane, Kjerstin Miller, Rebecca (Caleb) Bushbaum, William (Emma) Miller and her 23 great grandchildren: Elsa, Sylvia, Thorin, Ivar, Leif, Bryce, Kaelyn, Layla, Brenna, Liam, Max, Ben, Ava, Ian, Filip, Jozefina, Eva, Oliver, Adam, Agata, Camden, Lennon, Brecken, brother-in-law, John Garlisch; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willet Miller; parents, Louis and Ruth Olson; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Bertha Olson; and sister, Marjorie Garlisch.
Funeral Services will be officiated by Pastor Mike Erickson at 11:00am on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa with a visitation two hours before the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to West Clermont Lutheran Church.
On April 25, 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart, Willet Miller, and they were married for 69 years upon his passing. To this union, five children were born: Leslie (Pauline) Miller, Paul (Carol) Miller, Christian (Stefania) Miller, Caroline (Kevin) Bemiss, and David (Karen) Miller.
Lois and Willet farmed for 30 years beginning in 1948 and established a registered dairy herd called “Wilomi Holsteins.” In 1978, they sold the farm to their son, Christian, and in 2024, it was certified as a century farm.
Lois drove the school bus for Valley Community School District for over ten years in the 1970’s. She was the first woman elected to the board of Fayette County Supervisors in 1982 and served two terms. Upon retirement in 1991, she and Willet moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas to be near Willet’s sister, Augusta “Tootie” Jensen. They enjoyed square dancing and golfing year-round. In 2000, they moved back to Clermont for the summers and wintered in Mission, Texas where they were able to square dance even more.
Lois loved her family greatly and enjoyed watching her grandchildren in musical and sporting events. She was very active in Sarah Circle, playing golf, feeding birds, and playing cards weekly with her dear friends.
Lois will be dearly missed by her family. She is survived by her five children, 17 grandchildren: Zach (Amanda) Miller, Sarah Miller, Jennifer (Mike) Elsbernd, Lisa (Matt) Grimm, John (Amber) Miller, Christopher (Kate) Miller, Alissa (Max) Gunsolly, Marcel Coco, Anton (Jarka) Coco, Patrik Coco, Laura Haskenhoff, Andrew (Dani) Haskenhoff, Kedrick (Ciara) Bemiss, Jenna (Collin) Kane, Kjerstin Miller, Rebecca (Caleb) Bushbaum, William (Emma) Miller and her 23 great grandchildren: Elsa, Sylvia, Thorin, Ivar, Leif, Bryce, Kaelyn, Layla, Brenna, Liam, Max, Ben, Ava, Ian, Filip, Jozefina, Eva, Oliver, Adam, Agata, Camden, Lennon, Brecken, brother-in-law, John Garlisch; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willet Miller; parents, Louis and Ruth Olson; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Bertha Olson; and sister, Marjorie Garlisch.
Funeral Services will be officiated by Pastor Mike Erickson at 11:00am on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa with a visitation two hours before the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to West Clermont Lutheran Church.
