Obituary of Wanda Miller

Wanda Laurine Hartley Miller was born on June 20, 1922 on a farm northeast of Goodland, Kansas. She was the youngest of eight children born to Charles and Lena May Belle (Freeland) Hartley. She spent thirteen years on the farm on Beaver Creek. She spent eight of those thirteen years going to a one-room country school. At the beginning of her freshman year in high school, Wanda moved in with her sister Leota and her family in Brewster, Kansas. In 1937, she moved with her parents to Missouri where she attended her second year of high school in Chadwick. The family later moved back to Bird City, Kansas, and that is when she met Jim Miller. On June 15, 1940, after a few years of courtship, Wanda and Jim were married in Stockton, Kansas. To this union, three sons were born; Robert Wayne, James David and John Steven. The family eventually moved to Burlington, and then later to Vona. Wanda and Jim were married for forty-one years when Jim passed away. In 2004, she moved to Burlington to live with her granddaughter Sarah Ridnour and her family so that she could be cared for. In May of 2005, Sarah and her family moved her back to Vona, so she could be surrounded be her family and friends. On March 13, 2006, Wanda passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Jim. Wanda is survived by her sons; Wayne Miller and his wife Barbara of Watkins, Colorado, Dave Miller of Lafayette, Colorado and Steve Miller and his wife Danise of Vona, Colorado. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Barb and Chan, Cathy and Rick, Julie and Therressa, Stephen, Lisa and Rick, Tom and Sarah, A.J. and Amber, Brendon and Amanda; thirteen great grandchildren; one brother Willard Hartley and his wife Joan of Goodland, Kansas; sister-in-laws Lola Hartley of Goodland, Kansas, LoRee Miller of Phoenix, Arizona, and Marie Miller of Beloit, Kansas, many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Vona Baptist Church in Vona, Colorado, with Pastor Bill Viergutz officiating. Burial followed in the Vona Cemetery in Vona. There was no visitation. Memorials may be made in Wanda’s name to the Caring Hands Hospice and may be left at the First National Bank in Stratton or Seibert.