Marilyn Ann (Brown) Miller

Marilyn Ann (Brown) Miller, 86, of Little River, Kansas, passed away March 21, 2021 at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home, Little River. She was the daughter of Oliver James and Elnora Grace (Smith) Brown born at home at 3:00 A.M., Sunday, August 19, 1934 near Bowring , Oklahoma. It was a rural home and the doctor was from Kansas and crossed state lines so the birth was recorded as rural Sedan, Kansas. She was the fifth child and the fourth daughter in the family. Oliver worked as a farmer and later a pumper in the oil fields. She began the first grade in Bowring, Oklahoma, then moved with her family to near Cleveland, Oklahoma, and attended second and third grade there. The summer before she entered fourth grade the family moved to rural Windom, Kansas, where her father began working for Bradley Brothers Oil Co. She attended a rural school, Andover, until the seventh grade when they consolidated with Windom. She attended Windom High School and graduated from there in May 1952, then moved with her sister’s into an apartment in Hutchinson, and began working for Dimmick Plumbing Company as a secretary-bookkeeper and later as a billing clerk at Colladay Hardware Co. In September 1951 she met Donald Miller of Little River, Kansas, on a blind date arranged by Franklin and Rita Myers. They went to the Kansas State Fair, then dated until June 6, 1954 when they were married in the Methodist Church in Little River. Don worked with his father, Godfrey Miller as a plumber, electrician, and carpenter until his father passed away from a heart attack in June 1955. Then he went into business himself as a building contractor. They moved into their new home built by Godfrey and Donald in April 9, 1955. Marilyn enjoyed craft work, baking and sewing. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Little River, United Methodist Women and Friendly Neighbors Club. Marilyn is survived by her two sons, Gary Miller and wife Michelle of Lyons, and Larry Miller and wife Kay of Albuquerque, NM; four grandchildren, Garrett Miller, Gavin Miller and family, Kelli Perry and family and Mitchell Elmore. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Miller; three brothers; and three sisters. She was the last surviving sibling of her family. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 26, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, Little River, with Pastor Jeff Goetzinger officiating. Masks are encouraged at the service. Burial will follow the service at Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church, Little River of the Little River Public Library in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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