Ruby Doris Miller, 92, of West Union, Iowa died Saturday, April 24, 2021 at her home in West Union, Iowa. Ruby was born March 15, 1929 to Ernest and Charlotte “Lottie” (Gross) Koester on a farm in Eldorado, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Ruby graduated from West Union High School in 1946. She continued her education at Pitzie’s Beauty School in Waterloo, Iowa.
On September 29, 1950, Ruby was united in marriage with William “Bill” Miller in Juneau, Alaska. Four children were born from this union, Beth, Roxanne, Scott and Barbara. Ruby worked as a cafeteria manager for the Des Plaines, Illinois school district for twelve years and for the Wauconda, Illinois school district for ten years, retiring in 1988. Throughout the years, Ruby and Bill lived in Skagway, Alaska, Ivanhoe, Minnesota, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Des Plaines, Illinois, Barrington, Illinois and Maple Valley, Washington. They eventually moved back to Iowa and built a house on Ruby’s family farm, where they have lived for thirty years. Ruby and Bill were an adventurous couple and loved to travel extensively around the US and throughout the world. Ruby practiced hairdressing in most places they lived. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, needlepoint, gardening, family vacations, fishing and camping. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran WELCA.
Surviving Ruby are her husband of seventy years, William “Bill” Miller of West Union, Iowa; her children, Beth (Mark) Mniszewski of Missoula, Montana, Roxanne (Steve) Purucker of Cary, North Carolina, Scott Miller of West Union, Iowa and Barbara (Matt) Bohnert of Bend, Oregon; grandchildren, Christopher Flowers, Annie Flowers, David Purucker, Brett Bohnert and Lainey Bohnert; and her great-grandchildren, Samuel, Isaac, Silas and Heath Flowers and Cash Cantrell. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Charlotte Koester; and two brothers, Donald Koester and Harlan Koester
There will be a Private Family Service at 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa with Rev. Ginny Olson as the officiant.
The service will be broadcasted on 99.5 FM for the public who wish to attend.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.