Esther Estella Miller

Esther Estella Miller

Burlington

Esther Estella Miller, age 90, departed this world to receive her heavenly reward and join her husband and many others who have gone before her on Saturday, January 27, 2024. She died in Rossville, Georgia.

Esther was born on December 14, 1933, in Alexandria, Indiana, the daughter of W. Forest and Muriel Dick Etsler. Esther was raised in Alexandria, Indiana and graduated from Alexandria High School. She married her sweetheart Herbert Wesley Miller on June 30, 1951, in the Alexandria Friends Church and began a lifelong journey in Iowa with him. He preceded her in death on March 19, 2008.

Esther’s life journey included learning to be a farm wife, gardening, canning, and cooking while raising their children. Sunday dinners with all the “trimmings” were a weekly common occurrence. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain guests as she often hosted many dinners for people. She loved to sew. She not only skillfully sewed for her family, but she also proudly used her talents to sew for the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion and many others. Esther loved to read and shared that joy with her children. Her love of music was well known. She played the piano, organ and accordion. For many years she was the pianist at the Mt Pleasant Bible Missionary church. She lovingly supported her husband’s love for tractors, and they belonged to the 2 Cylinder club, displaying their John Deere tractor at various events.

For several years while she raised her children, maintained her household, cooked, and canned she also worked at the I.A.A.P. in Middletown, Iowa. In their life journey, Esther and her husband together assisted in the operations of an orphanage in Beulah Heights, Kentucky. Later they maintained a Church campground in Indiana. Esther did not believe in being idle and her labors outside of the home also included working at Bergners, Grinders Deli and McDonalds, where she enjoyed making many acquaintances and friends.

Esther found joy in service to others. After the passing of her husband, she so appreciated the service of Hospice on his behalf she began volunteering for the Southeast Regional Home Health and Hospice in West Burlington Iowa. She spent many hours volunteering for Hospice and in 2014 was honored to receive an award recognizing her volunteer hours for hospice care from Mayor Shane Campbell at the Mayors Annual event. Later, in 2016 she was again recognized by the Iowa Hospice and Palliative Care Association and given a volunteer award for her service.

She is survived by her children Charlene (Dan) Henson of Rossville, Georgia, Jeff (Kith) Miller, Jerome, Idaho, Maurice (Terri) Miller, LaFayette, Georgia, Myron (Vicki) Miller, Galesburg, Illinois, Evan (Arlene) Miller, Galesburg, Illinois; 11 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren, 6 Great-Great-Grandchildren, and Brother Jim Estler, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Miller, two daughters Jeanene and Eileen, one grandchild Jeffrey, one brother, five sisters and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice of West Burlington, Iowa in recognition of her volunteer contribution of time and dedication.

Visitation will be on February 10, 2024, at Lunning Chapel in Burlington, Iowa from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A private graveside service will follow at 4 p.m. at Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Online condolences may be made at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.