Ann Miller

ANN MILLER

Ann Margaret Miller was born July 31, 1918 and was called home early Friday morning, February 3, 2023 at the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center. Ann was 104 years young.

Ann was the third of four children and the only daughter born to Norwegian emigrant parents, Olaf and Lena Lund. Ann was born on a farm in Havre, Montana. In the early years Ann, alongside her parents and brothers, raised wheat and cattle. Her parents worked diligently to earn their citizenship papers with the help from their children.

Being the only girl, Ann grew up as a tom boy, working outside along with her brothers and dad. Olaf would drum up family baseball games, a sport Ann grew very fond of in later years.

The Lund children attended grade school at a country school 45 miles northwest of Havre. While Ann’s oldest two brothers wanted to stay on the farm, she and her younger brother Ivar, wanted to complete high school. With the school 45 miles away, her parents rented an apartment for their 14-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. On weekends Olaf and Lena would make the trip to town and check on their children and replenish their groceries. Ann graduated high school in 1937 and immediately took a job at Buttrey’s Department Store.

At an old country dance, Ann met a tall, strapping young serviceman, named Ray Miller. They dated for a couple years, with Ann moving to Seattle, WA where Ray was stationed, and Ann worked for the Corps of Engineers. They made plans to marry, but something always seemed to come up. Finally on June 12, 1942, Ann married Ray H. Miller at the home of a pastor in Olympia, WA. Within 2 years of marriage Ann found herself living the life of a young military wife, living alone first in California then in Arizona with infant son Daryl while Ray served in Germany. With Ray being overseas, Ann decided to move back home to be closer to family in Montana.

Once Ray was discharged from the Army, opportunity called them west to the logging country of Oregon. Ray drove a logging truck and the family grew by two more sons Gary and Tom. Life in Pilot Rock, Oregon soon included Boy Scouts, Little League Baseball and other activities her sons were involved in. The family continued to follow the logging company and made the move to Walla Walla, WA. Since the boys were older, Ann was able to attend business school. She was good with numbers and enjoyed bookkeeping. Daryl entered the Marines and son Gary graduated from high school before Ray and Ann moved once again, this time to West Yellowstone, MT. Ann’s expertise with numbers and sound judgment landed her a spot on the school board.

The Millers moved back to the Havre area to help a family member on the farm. Ann’s duties included helping with the farm and ranch work. Once their youngest son Tom graduated and Ray facing some health challenges, they moved into the town of Havre. Ann found herself working for the school district and in the records department at the nursing home where her parents, Olaf and Lena lived. Olaf lived to be 97 and Lena 99. After her parents passed on, Ann and Ray moved to a retirement community in Colombia Falls, MT where they lived for eight years. Ray’s health continued to deteriorate so they made the decision to move closer to their son Tom and his family. In 1991, Ray and Ann moved to Wauneta, Nebraska where they lived until their deaths. Ray passed away in 2003 but not before they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Ann loved attending her grandchildren’s school events, and later attending her great granddaughter’s events. Ann was very active at the Wauneta Senior Center. She loved volunteering. She could be found before lunch and after the cleanup playing cards with the ladies, one of her favorite pass times. Ann loved to knit and crochet, every Christmas the family would find a new supply of wash clothes or slippers under the Christmas tree.

In 2004, Ann accompanied by daughter in law Sharon, took off on an Alaskan adventure to see son Daryl. While there Daryl surprised his mother and Sharon by telling them they would be attending his mountain view wedding. Ann’s travels didn’t end there. In 2005, grandson Robert accompanied Ann to Phoenix, Arizona so the Lund children could be together for one last visit.

When anyone came to Ann’s house, family or not, a game of Skipbo, pitch or yahtzee usually happened. Ann’s love of baseball went from playing as a young girl with her brothers to following her favorite baseball team the Atlanta Braves, Ann rarely missed a game.

Ann spent her final years at the Wauneta Care and Therapy Center. She was known to all as “Grandma Ann.” She could be heard most days singing her favorite songs of “Jesus Loves Me” or “You Are My Sunshine”

Proceeding her in death are her parents, Olaf and Lena Lund, husband Ray Miller, brothers, OB Lund, Ivar Lund and Arnold Lund. Sister in laws, Winnie, Mildred, Ethel and Helen Lund.

Those left to celebrate her life are: sons Daryl (Judy) of Anchorage, Alaska, Gary (Marsha) of Anaconda, MT and Tom (Sharon) of Wauneta. Grandchildren: Chan Miller of Havre, MT; Justin Miller (Tammy) of North Dakota; Kimmy Johnson and husband of Olympia, WA, Kirsty Miller of Anaconda, MT Kacey Miller of Anaconda, MT, Kerry Miller (Reid Ott) of Palisade, Travis Miller (Melanie) of Henderson, NE, Robert Miller (Kari) of Omaha, NE. 14 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.


Memorial Services will be held Thursday afternoon, February 9, 2023, 2:00 P.M. (MT) at Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta, with Pastor Gary Hunt officiating. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.

Following Ann’s wishes cremation was chosen with no visitation.

A memorial, in Ann’s Memory, has been suggested to the Miller Family for a future designation.

A complete obituary will be submitted when it becomes available.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

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