Jan Miller

KALONA ? Jan Miller, 68, of Kalona, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at her home.

Celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, at the Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with the Rev. Perry Miller, the Rev. Leon Stutzman and the Rev. John Hershberger officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 29, at the church, where the family will greet friends from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Pathway Christian School. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Miller was born Dec. 19, 1947, in Washington, the daughter of Jacob and Jean (Christner) Kauffman. She married Russ Miller on June 22, 1968, at the Fairview Mennonite Church.

She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1966, then attended Eastern Mennonite College. She was a faithful member of the Fairview Mennonite Church throughout her life. Over the years, she enjoyed music, leading children?s choirs, and serving as director at Spring Valley Youth Camp, where she and her husband led for 12 years. Being convicted of the need for Christian education, she, along with others, poured herself into the development of Pathway Christian School. She also enjoyed planning singspirations, church events and programs. She was a loyal helpmate to her husband in whatever business endeavor he was involved in at the time. She loved her family and enjoyed helping along with their needs. She was passionate about serving Jesus on a daily basis and was often known to come alongside others to encourage them in their life journey. She was an optimistic encourager and was frequently imparting words such as ?Choose life!? and ?Speak truth.? Her conversations typically ended with two words, ?Be blessed.? She and her husband enjoyed the adventures of traveling, including snow skiing and motorcycle excursions.

Surviving are her husband, Russ; five children, Regina Yoder and husband Ernie of Arthur, Illinois, Regi Miller and wife Penny of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jed Miller and wife Jessica of Hills, Jodi Gehman and husband Rodney of Kalona, and Jason Miller and wife Amber of Kalona; 24 grandchildren; her parents, Jacob and Jean Kauffman of Kalona; three sisters, Joyce Baron and husband Rick of Tucson, Arizona, Julia Kauffman-Jantzi and husband Phil of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and Joannie Firkins and husband Jeff of Iowa City; and three brothers, John Kauffman and wife Barb of Wellman, Jerry Kauffman of Kalona, and Jorge Kauffman and wife Jenny of Lancaster, California.

She was preceded in death by one stillborn granddaughter; two brothers, Jeff, and Jim; and one sister-in-law, Mary Kauffman.