Shirley Miller

Shirley Bracewell Miller passed away on June 18, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mott, North Dakota. 

The Funeral Service for Shirley was held at 10:30 a.m. MT, Monday, June 27, 2016 at the Centennial Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger.  Pastor Richard Wyman officiated with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.

A family service was held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at the Centennial Chapel.

Serving as casketbearers are Mike Cynker, Nathan Miller, Terry Henderson, Bob Parker, Rich Hedstrom, Bob Parker, and Paul Anderson.  All of Shirley’s family and friends are considered honorary bearers.

She was born January 19, 1924.  Her parents were Laurence and Dava Shelkey Bracewell. During her high school years, she worked at the family restaurant, The Lakeview Cafe, on Main Street in Hettinger.  She graduated from Hettinger High School in 1941. She then went to business school in Minneapolis, MN. After graduating, she worked at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD for a year; then she moved back to Hettinger and served as Mr. Roberts’s secretary at the high school.

She married Roland “Bud”Miller in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 25, 1945.  They chose to be married on Christmas Day so Bud wouldn't forget their anniversary.  They lived in Compton, California, where Bud worked at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft in Downey, while Shirley managed the home.  Their daughter Connie was born at that time. In 1947, they moved back to Lodgepole and took over Bud's family farm after his father’s retirement. Here they completed their family with another daughter, Cindy, and three sons: Lauren, Leo, and Lane. Bud and Shirley were happily married for 66 years.

Shirley was active in the Lodgepole community.  She was a member of the Lodgepole Ladies’ Aid and Beta Sigma Phi. She was also involved with the Soil Conservation District. She was an assistant 4-H leader and an assistant Boy Scout Den Leader. As a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, Shirley was the church organist for many years.  She was a lifelong member of Rainbow Girls and Eastern Star.

Nature was important to Shirley.  She took joy in gardening and in taking care of her flowers. Many a breakfast was enhanced by jelly made from her produce. She delighted in having deer come close to the house, and she kept her eye on the birds that flew into her yard and took time to identify them. 

Shirley was known for her hospitality. The coffee pot was always on, and guests savored her delicious homemade cookies, cakes, and pies. She was an excellent conversationalist and an attentive listener. Until her last days, she was happy to have visitors.

Bud and Shirley were card players all their lives. In retirement, Shirley continued to be a formidable whist and pinochle player at the Hettinger Senior Center.  Additionally, she and Bud did a good deal of traveling, spending winters in Southern California and going to family reunions in Iowa. They took trips to various places, including Mexico; Branson, Missouri; and Deadwood and Mobridge, South Dakota.  They also took fishing trips to Canada. Additionally, they visited family in California, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, Texas and Louisiana.

   Shirley will be remembered as a kind woman who loved her family and who was available to her neighbors when they were in need.  She inspired many by her positive approach to life, even in the face of difficulty and loss.

   She will be greatly missed her children: Connie, Cindy (Roy), Leo (Debbie) and Lane (Kristi) and her daughter-in-law Deb.  She leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great- granddaughter. 

   Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Bud, her son Lauren,  her son-in-law Tom, her parents Laurence and Dava Bracewell her paternal grandparents Donald P. and  Flora Belle Watkins Bracewell, and her maternal grandparents Ira and Effie Pearl Hafner Shelkey Jones. 

   A memorial has been established to the Hettinger Cemetery Association and West River Visiting Nurses.

   Visitation will on Sunday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Centennial Chapel in Hettinger and on Monday one hour prior to services.

   Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com