LaVerne Miller

LaVerne Geloris was born to Joshua and Talea "Tillie" Grayson on January 14, 1920. She was born on a farm north of Lennox, South Dakota where her mother Tillie and two sisters, Yvonne and Joyce, were also born. Tillie and the three girls moved into Lennox after the death of Joshua when LaVerne was 10 years old. LaVerne attended Crowley School and graduated from Lennox High School in 1937. She was the homecoming queen during her senior year. For many years she kept the Lennox High School alumni records up to date. On February 25, 1939 she was united in marriage to Joseph T. Miller. The couple was blessed with 3 children (Joan, Vernon, and Lois) and 61 years of marriage. Joe passed away in April 2000. Their residences together included a farm south of Lennox belonging to Joe's parents, Tony and Rena Miller, then they farmed near Ellis and Garretson, South Dakota, and from there they moved in 1954 to a farm where Rena was born just south of Joe's parents. LaVerne remained there until 2011. LaVerne loved to travel and accomplished her goal to visit all 50 states. She toured Europe, and on another occasion had the opportunity to visit the birthplace in England of her grandfather, who was one of seventeen children. LaVerne and her daughter Joan took a trip to Australia and New Zealand to visit the grandson of one of the other 17 English ancestors. LaVerne was once asked in a questionnaire, "If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be?" She answered "missionary." Later on in her life she was thrilled to make two mission trips to Mexico. As well as a homemaker LaVerne had worked at the post office, grocery store, Van Bockern Feed Store, and the Sioux Falls Good Samaritan Village. In December of 1971 she started the Day Center for the Handicapped in her home, and in later years moved the Day Center to a building in town. In 1977 she was Mother of the Year. LaVerne was an active member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday School, serving in the Women's Ministry, and acting as one of the first Church Secretaries. Several winters she had the opportunity to volunteer at the Wycliffe Bible Translators USA headquarters in Huntington Beach, CA. LaVerne was blessed with excellent health but went to be with her Savior on Mother's Day, May 10, 2020 due to COVID-19 during the historic coronavirus pandemic. She will be especially remembered by family for all those yummy Sunday roast noon meals and fun gatherings on the farm, as well as the crocheted blankets and sewn quilts that she made for family members. The Bake Day tradition she started with her daughters Joan and Lois is still celebrated by her grandchildren and future generations. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joshua and Talea Grayson, husband Joseph Miller, son Vernon Miller, grandson Arvin Bleeker and son-in-law Dwaine Bleeker. Those who she leaves behind and who will always cherish the many memories are her sisters Yvonne Stroup and Joyce Bunjer; daughters Joan Bleeker and Lois Morgan; grandchildren Lyle (Karen) Bleeker, Joy (Chuck) Hamre, Darrell (Stacie) Bleeker and Jan (Jay) Schmidt, Tami (Dale) Hoogestraat, Terri Burchfield, Stephanie (Shane) Oien, Deb (MacKenzie) Phillips, Joshua (Sam) Morgan, Russell (Arissa) Morgan and Natalie (Wesley) Roberts; 22 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends. Private family graveside services will be held, with burial in the Lennox Cemetery.

LaVerne Miller

January 14, 1920 - May 10, 2020

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