Barbara "Barb" Jean Miller 88 of Rapid City passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Visitation will be 4:00pm-6:00pm Friday, July 1 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 4500 Jackson Blvd, with a Vigil/Rosary Service to begin at 6:00pm. A Christian Funeral Mass will be 10:00am Saturday, July 2 at the church, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship will be established in Barb's name.  Donations can be made in cash or check to Barb Miller Memorial Scholarship and received at Osheim Schmidt Funeral Home at 2700 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57702.  The scholarship will be to support students entering Cosmetology school, and in recognition of Barb's years as the Financial Aid officer at Black Hills Beauty School.

Barbara Jean Miller was born in Kansas and lived there with her parents and younger brother John until she was 12.   Her father went to work heavy construction in the Pacific NW and Alaska after WWII, and the family joined him a few years later in West Seattle.   In her high school years at Kent-Meridian High School, Barb earned money for her sharp-taste in clothing by working at the local theater throughout the year, and in the farm fields during the summers.   There she picked produce and eventually was responsible for the "book-keeping" of the teams who were picking.

After high school, she worked for Northwest Metal and eventually moved to Rapid City as part of a team associated with Boeing and the Minuteman Missile program.    She met Pat Miller when she went to get her hair styled, and a romance, 58-year marriage, family, and entrepreneurial life was born!

Mr. Patrick's Styling Salon on Jackson Boulevard and Black Hills Beauty College in downtown Rapid City had Barb's fingerprints all over them.   Pat has often said that her role was to keep him from going to jail.    Barb's gift with numbers and her internal wiring as a rule-follower meant she was an amazing partner overseeing the bookkeeping and financial aid of these businesses.

Many summers were spent at ball games, pool parties, community camping, and other gatherings which were a great way to share her cooking and baking talent.   Later in life, Pat and Barb became "Snowbirds" in Apache Junction and Gold Canyon, Arizona.   Barb became known for hosting her annual winter fish fry in those communities!  Of course, it was Missouri River Walleye which they packed down with them every year.

Barb was a loyal friend and if you were her friend, she was with you for the long-haul of life.   She spoke truth in hard situations, and her heart was with the underdog.  She loved being the person behind-the-scenes but was not a passive voice there.    When asked about Barb and words to describe her, Pat shared "she was a wonderful mother", and wiped a tear.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, son; John Patrick Miller and brother; John Braden.

Barb is survived by her husband; Patrick Miller of Rapid City, daughters; Teresa (Francis) Jahner of Rapid City, Shannan Tanner of Westminster, CO, granddaughter; Darienne Jahner of Rapid City, numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and their extended families who brightened her life.