Josephine Theresa Miller
RONAN — Josephine Theresa Miller, 84, of Ronan, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at her home, of natural causes. She was born Sept. 8, 1929, in Mountain Home, Idaho, the youngest of four children of Grover W. and Bridget Theresa (Fogarty) Pence. The family included her brothers James and Arthur, and her sister Erin.
She attended schools in Hot Springs, Bruneau and Mountain Home, graduating from Mountain Home High School in 1948. Her childhood on the Hot Springs ranch was a happy time in her life. She spoke often of her loving family and the times when aunts, uncles and cousins would come to stay, sometimes for weeks at a time.
She earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho and accepted her first teaching job in 1952 in Winchester, Idaho. It was her second job in Juntura, Ore. that changed her life. She moved in next door to Buck and Mary Miller. The Millers had two sons who had just returned from the Korean War. The older of those two sons, Earl, was soon knocking at the new teacher’s door, inviting her to accompany him to local fairs, dances and other events.
She married Earl Chester Miller on July 3, 1954, in Elko, Nev. They had two children, Creighton Zigmont and Dixie Lee.
The couple stayed in Juntura for several years, where Earl ranched with his family and Josephine taught fifth through eighth grades. After her in-laws sold their ranch in 1960, Earl and Josephine purchased Clover Creek Ranch in Owyhee County, Idaho, from Josephine’s mother and stepfather. While Earl ranched in the remote Bruneau Desert, Josephine taught fourth grade and later special education for the Bruneau/Grand View school district.
She worked all week as a teacher, then spent every weekend, vacation and summer as a ranch wife.
After retirement, she and Earl moved to Ronan in 1996.
Josephine was gifted artistically and enjoyed many forms of arts and crafts, including ceramics, painting and quilting. She was terrific at all of them, but painting was her favorite. Some of her best times with Earl were spent on her patio in Grand View and later on the deck of her Ronan home. They would visit while she painted.
Always family oriented, Josephine’s final years were marked with great sorrow as she was preceded in death by both her husband Earl and her son Zig. Her parents, her two brothers and her sister also preceded her in death.
Survivors are her daughter Dixie (Wes) Knutson of Polson; three step-granddaughters; her daughter-in-law Wrene of Challis, Idaho; and two nieces.
Always popular and social, Josephine had many friends, first among the school staff with whom she worked and then later among the several clubs she joined after retirement.
The family would also like to thank her friends (the gray heads) in Ronan - Marilyn Koester, Jan Largent, Helen Salomon and Judy Adams. Those ladies made sure Josephine had plenty of activities to keep her busy. The family would also like to thank the Metzger family, who befriended both Earl and Josephine and kept a protective eye on Josephine in recent years.
Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
