Velda I. Miller

Velda Irene Miller died on Feb. 21 at Sacred Heart Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded in love by her family.

Velda was born in Gackle, North Dakota on Dec. 19, 1932, to Ray and Hulda Klein.

Her family moved to Ritzville in 1942, where Velda graduated in 1950 and married her high school sweetheart, John R. Miller, on Dec. 26, 1951.

Velda was the first president of the Airmen Wives Club while John was stationed at the radar base at Colville.

After John’s military service, they moved to the family wheat farm west of Ritzville where they lived and farmed for thirty years.

They then moved into Ritzville and continued with their active lifestyle. Velda was always involved in school and community activities, including Ritzville Jayceettes, Ritzville Junior Women’s Club, 4-H and Girl Scout leader, bowling leagues, working as a retail clerk, and later volunteering for years at the senior center pancake breakfasts.

She was a member of the Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ.

She loved watching sports and enjoyed working the State B Basketball Tournament alongside John for 20 years. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in school activities and sports. Her family was her priority and her passion.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Velda is survived by her spouse, John, her brother Roy Klein (Shirley), her sister Joyce Preston (Jim), and her children Jonna Provinsal, Denise Anthony Timme (Bill), Colleen Kuhn (Darrell), and Mike Miller (Marci), grandchildren Anne Mahoney (Derek), Danielle Kuhn, John Kuhn, Lacey Miller, Spencer Miller, Cooper Miller, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday Feb. 25, . from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville. Graveside services will be held Friday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Ritzville Memorial Cemetery; funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, with Pastor Bob Kenyon officiating.

Memorials can be made to Bronc Boosters Club, P.O. Box 422, Ritzville, WA 99169, or your charity of choice. An online guestbook is available at http://www.danekasfh.com.