RAPID CITY - Dorothy May (Mende) Miller, 97, died May 6, 2024. Dot was born May 9, 1926 on Mother's Day in North Bergen, New Jersey to Arthur A. Mende and Thekla Theodora Katharine Grumbrecht Mende. She attended Franklin Grammar School and graduated in 1944 from North Bergen High School, choosing the science track over secretarial. One of her first jobs was at a laboratory which she loved.

Dot, a city girl, married the love of her life, Ray A. Miller, a South Dakota cowboy, whom she met while on vacation at a dude ranch in New York state in 1949 and returned to South Dakota. Over the next 11 years, 4 children were born, James Mark, Karen Anne, Dawn Marie, and Annetta Rae.

In 1954 Dot and Ray were introduced to Jesus and raised their children to serve Him as Lord and Savior. When the youngest child started school, Dot, a "woman of science", returned to laboratory work at the Clinical Laboratory of the Black Hills and through self-study became certified as a histologic technician, retiring in 1989. Ray and Dot retired to Warsaw, Missouri, where they made many special friends, returning to Rapid City in 2014 to "open spaces". After 65 years of marriage Ray died unexpectedly three months after returning to Rapid City. In 2021 Dot moved in with daughter, Karen.

Mom was a wise and loving mother and a "woman of faith", prayerfully seeking God's wisdom for daily challenges, sharing our family life with many other young people who needed a little foundation. She was a life-long learner, avid reader, gardener, craft-maker, and sometimes the first to use new technology and involved in many roles in her church and community where ever they lived.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; daughter, Annetta Williams; her parents; brother, Arthur A. Mende, Jr.; two sisters-in-law and a son-in-law.

Dot is survived by son, Jim Miller (Darlene), of Urbandale, IA; daughters, Dawn Hagan and Karen Mauer, both of Rapid City; sister-in-law, Laura Mende of Fort Mill, SC; son-in-law Brian Williams, of Great Falls, MT;  grandchildren: Amy (David) Roe of Ankeny, IA; Mindy (Marty) Maddux of Granger, IA; Mark Mauer of Rapid City; Sarah (Wesley) Shane of Kauai, HI; Jason Hagan of Kansas City, MO; Nathan Hagan of Clinton, MO; Samantha Christy-Maricielo of Bainbridge Island, WA; Jacob Williams (fiancée Clea Harris) of Great Falls, MT; nine great grandchildren; several dear nieces and nephews and friends.

A celebration of Dot's life will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Open Bible Church of Rapid City, SD, 2225 E. Saint Patrick St, Rapid City, SD with a luncheon to follow at the church. A graveside family gathering will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park, 4301 Tower Road, Rapid City.