Leslie Carleen Miller was born September 29, 1928 in West Union, Iowa to LeRoy “Fergie” Alden and Vivian Imogene (Schroyer) Sturch. Carleen attended school in West Union, graduating in 1946. Attended one year of college at the University of Iowa 1946 – 1947.
On October 4, 1947, Carleen was united in marriage to Merlin Miller at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union, Iowa. They had four children, Steven, Ronn, Shari and Holly.
Carleen worked at the West Union Sale Barn every Thursday for several years and then went to work at the West Union Cooperative as a secretary for 24 years before she retired.
Carleen was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she was an officer for many years. She enjoyed volunteering at the Good Samartitan Home, also delivering Meals on Wheels and working at Dover Township for many November elections. Carleen loved Bingo, traveling to various casinos with the “Gambling Grandmas”. She loved and was very proud of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Steve (Wendy) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Ronn (Lana) Miller of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Shari Knight of North Liberty and Holly (Mel) Suhr of Knoxville. Grandchildren, Michael Suhr, Tammy (Jon) Davies, Andrea (Mike) Hobson, Katie (Kevin) Chalupa, Ryan (Elisabeth) Miller, Heidi (Ted) Feldman, Nick (Keely) Knight and Ellen (Dave) Sellers. Great-Grandchildren, Isabella and Madilynn Day-Suhr, Brendan and Connor Davies, Isla, Reagan and Harper Hobson, Lincoln and Jameson Chalupa, Goldie, Miller and Hollis Feldman, Helen, Bruin and Vivian Knight, Alicia Bauwens and Ainslie Green. Additional survivors include her brother Tom Sturch and many nieces and nephews.
She has many loved ones waiting for her in Heaven including her husband, Merlin Miller, parents LeRoy and Imogene Sturch, sisters Mary Jean Turner and Justine “Tuffy” Nesvik, grandson Jeremy Knight and several in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Union Community Library, West Union Recreation Center or Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Funeral Services will be at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 9, 2023 at Bethel Presbyterian Church, West Union, Iowa with a visitation from noon to 1:30 pm before services at the church on Friday.
Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.