It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Naotha Gay Miller, on September 15, 2019.

Mom was born March 26, 1927 in Guide Rock NE, the second child of Ira and Viva Glee Howard, little sister to Forrest. When her father died in 1932, her mother moved their family to Burr Oak, Kansas.  She loved the farm life, all the animals and her dog, Bounce. She had a lasting affection for pets, allowing anything from baby birds to fish to share her home, along with many cats and dogs.

She graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1945, and went to Business School in Salina, Kansas. While in Salina, she met James Miller, an Air Force Staff Sargent who recently returned from World War II, and loved to roller skate and fly small planes.  He thrilled the small town of Burr Oak by landing a small plane on the highway just outside of town, to visit his new love.  They were married November 9, 1947 at her mothers' home in Burr Oak.

Mom loved people, had a great curiosity about life, history and current events.  She loved writing and receiving letters, knew everyone's birthday, anniversary, kept up with kids, grandkids, cousins, aunts and her many friends.

She had six children, Mary, Laurenda, Joan, Roger, Janet and Kent and welcomed Dad's daughter Pauline into the family. She patiently followed Dad as he was deployed overseas to England from 1961-65, taking all of us to visit castles and museums and any historical site within driving distance. When she returned to the US, Dad retired from the Air Force and found work at various small airports. Mom was a homemaker cooking from scratch, with an occasion tv dinner, until all were in school, then worked a variety of jobs, from turkey processing to assisting at nursing homes. She collected treasures along the way, filling the house with her finds, all displayed (if room) organized, and listed.

When she and Dad eventually retired, she was able to put her energy (which was endless) into her grandchildren, more pets, garage sales, crocheting, Bingo, trips to the casino (only penny machines with a max of $10-$20!), cooking (which she was awesome at!) and some travel. She was happiest with a house full of kids, grandkids, animals, good food, noise and love.

Dad died in February 2010, a huge loss, since they were constantly together. Mom then decided she would live until 100, because a nice doctor long ago told her she would. When it was apparent she needed help to stay in her home, Janet lovingly took that responsibility on, as she had been doing for the two of them since moving to Rapid City.  With Janet's love, devotion and help, Mom was able to stay in the Rapid City home she and Dad had bought way back in 1955, until the day she died.

We appreciate all Mom taught and shared with us, her unwavering love and patience. We will miss her so very much, but are comforted by our individual memories of her and a life, very well lived.

Survivors include sons: Roger Miller and Kent Miller (Tammy), both of Omaha, NE, daughters: Mary Laubach (David), Mankato, MN, Laurenda Anderson, Mineota, MN, Joan Anderberg (Wayne), Bloomington, MN, Janet Ryks (Darold), Rapid City, Pauline Miller, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom,  15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, James, brother, Forrest, grandchild, Christopher and three sons in law: Leroy Anderson, Bruce Grafenstein, and Larry Hannah.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, September 19, 2019 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery at 12:00 noon.