Verna M. (Elza) Miller

Verna M. (Elza) Miller, 99, of Great Falls, passed into Heaven on Dec. 29, 2013, at Peace Hospice with family by her side.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel followed by a luncheon reception at Schnider Funeral Home. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Verna was born on Sept. 9, 1914, at the family home in a rural area of East Bernstadt, Ky. She was the first child and only daughter born to Elbert and Bertha (Bowling) Elza, followed by five brothers. Verna attended country school for grade school. She attended East Bernstadt High School, where she met and married a local young man, Jack Harrison. They had a son, Roger, who passed away in 1934. Shortly after that, the couple divorced.

She moved to Conrad in 1945 where she worked as a cook. Her beauty and cooking won over Ronald Miller, and they were married in Havre, Mont., on May 21, 1946.

Ron worked as a foreman for Robinson-Caves Construction in Great Falls, and Verna worked as a sales clerk for Van's IGA and Snyder Drug. After retirement, they spent their summers in Montana and their winters in Arizona. In 2005 they made the Yuma residence their permanent home. In the spring of 2007 with failing health they called their nephew Dick Stremcha and wife Carolyn to bring them back to Montana. That April they became residents of High Gate in Great Falls. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in May 2007. Ron passed away on Oct. 15, 2007.

Verna and Ron loved camping and fishing adventures and hosting fish fries, canning and smoking fish for family and friends. After Ron's passing, Verna enjoyed outings, drives and meals out with family and friends. In 2013, she celebrated her 99th birthday by going out to lunch with Carolyn. She was raised a Baptist, became a member of the Lutheran Church in Great Falls and then a member of Cascade Methodist Church.

She will be remembered as "Aunt Verna" (related or not) or as a second mother and will be missed by many who were privileged enough to know her as their special friend.

Verna is survived by her brother, James (Ely) Elza of Wisconsin; sister-in-law Carol Elza of Washington; many cousins, nieces and nephews of the Elza, Bowling and Miller families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Roger; husband, Ron; brothers, Ernest, William, Fred and John; brother-in-law, Mike Miller; sisters-in-law, Pat Elza, Grace Stremcha-Williams and June Stremcha.

Memorials are suggested to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405; McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd Str. S., Great Falls, MT 59405; First Congregational Church of Christ, 2900 9th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405 or a charity of the donor's choice.