Bonnie June Miller of Crete, passed away June 18, 2023, at Tabitha Nursing Home, in Crete, at the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 20 days.
She was born June 29, 1928, in Milford, to Clarence and Ivy (Howard) Smith, the oldest of seven children. She was united in marriage to Howard D. Miller on Nov. 27, 1947, and in 2022, they celebrated 75 years together. Randall Ray and Jeanne Lavonne were chosen to complete their family. In the early years, Howard and Bonnie made their home on the farm near Friend, but soon moved into town where they resided for 60 years. As a young girl, Bonnie took a few piano lessons, but was mostly self-taught. She carried her love of playing the piano all her life. Most notably, Bonnie and Margaret Ackerman played the piano and organ together for more than 50 years at the Assembly of God Church in Milford and at weddings, funerals, and area nursing homes.
Bonnie was the family cheerleader. Whether it be at Howard’s side for business, first Friend Fertilizer then Miller Agri Sales, or at her children’s and then grandchildren’s activities. Bonnie was there dressed to the nines with hair, makeup and nails to match. This couldn’t happen without her love of shopping! Oh how she loved those great department stores that were in downtown Lincoln. Thank goodness Von Maur came along.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Howard, Crete; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Barb Miller, Friend; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Jeff Stutzman, Friend; grandchildren, Jessica and Adam Roth, Milford, Jordan and Kaily Stutzman, Milford, Jon Stutzman, Milford, Luke Miller, Milford, Abrianna Miller, Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Jailey, Ashtyn, and Jillian Roth, Milford, Trevor Roach, Geneva, and Chandler, Penelope and Aria Stutzman, Milford. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters, Donald “Dusty” Blake, Duane D Smith, Ruth Blakkolb, LeRoy Smith, Oris R Smith, and Janice K Patterson; and granddaughter, Jill Stutzman.
Visitation at the Lauber Funeral Home in Friend starts Friday, June 23, from 2 – 8 p.m. with family greeting and receiving relatives and friends from 5 – 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at the Friend Christian Assembly Church. There will be a private family graveside service at the Pleasant View Cemetery, rural Milford. The Celebration of Life will be livestreamed via Facebook. Visit the Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services Facebook page to tune in. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Nebraska Children's Home Society or The People's City Mission. Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services.
