Ann Miller's Obituary
Ann O. Miller, christened Anna Olivia Olsen, was born on September 24, 1913 in Sidney, Montana to Danish immigrants, Ole and Josephine Olsen. She was their youngest child to survive childhood.
When she was eight years old, a rare tornado hit eastern Montana after dark. Her mother was killed and buildings, including the house they were in, were destroyed. She and her sister were found by neighbors searching with lanterns in the storm. They had been blown a quarter of a mile away. The storm had destroyed almost all they had.
The storm changed her childhood dramatically. She lived with an older sister for a time and then with an aunt until she was sixteen years old when she began to support herself. She had a job in a cafe for room and board and $5 a month. She waited tables before school, during lunch hour, and after school. When a brother found a job for her in the Merchandise Mart as a seamstress, she moved to Chicago for her senior year in high school. The records were sent back to Sidney, Montana and she received her high school diploma.
In 1933, she moved back to Montana to marry LaVern Miller and they had one child, Norita. The Depression years were difficult and they moved to Oregon for other opportunities. Her father, Ole Olsen, lived with them part of that time before going to one of Ann's brothers in Chicago. In 1941, Boeing hired LaVern and the family moved to Seattle. After retirement, they moved to Lacey where they were active in the Wally Byam Caravan Club.
Ann continued to work after marriage. She sewed for neighbors, prepared the noon meals for crews in an Oregon Orchard and began working outside the home when Norita was three years old. Most of her employment was in food service and she retired from Sears where she was well known as the "sandwich lady" in their cafeteria.
After retirement, Ann took painting lessons and started putting her artistic talent on canvas. Her medium was oils and she loved to create her pictures. She tried her hand at many different subjects so her pictures reflect that diversity.
Ann was widowed in 1989 and continued to live in Lacey for nine years. She then moved to Tacoma. She stayed independent as long as possible before moving to assisted living. Her final move was to "Sunshine's Haven", a wonderful adult family home with 24 hour care. She was treated well there and was comfortable and happy. She had a massive stroke the day after her 95the birthday and was paralyzed on her left side. When she was released from the nursing home back to Sunshine's Haven, Franciscan Hospice began to help with her care and she was kept as comfortable as possible the last months of her life. Through all of these changes, her mind remained alert and she retained her sense of humor.
Ann's strong faith in God comforted and sustained her through the years. She joined a Lutheran Church wherever she lived. She wasn't particular about which synod it was because she said that "God can find me".
Ann is survived by her daughter Norita (Dugald) Stewart, grandson Stephen (Helen Nuckolls) Liebelt, granddaughter Cynthia (Atsuyuki) Naka, and three great-grandsons Kenneth Naka, Thomas Naka, and William Liebelt.
Donations in Ann's memory may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 6730 N. 17th, Tacoma, WA 98406 or Franciscan Foundation, Franciscan Hospice, PO Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401-9836.
What’s your fondest memory of Ann?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ann?
Share a story where Ann's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ann you’ll never forget.
How did Ann make you smile?