Anna Miller

ANNA M. MILLER

Anna M. Miller, age 84, of Kahoka, MO, died Friday, May 20, 2011, in Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL.

Anna was born September 18, 1926 at her parent's home in rural Alexandria, MO, the daughter of Arthur and Alma Jesberg Dienst.

She married Ralph Guilford in 1946 and they were the parents of a daughter, Beverly. Following their divorce, she was married to Robert Ware who later preceded her in death. She was reunited with a former schoolmate, Gerald "Jerry" Rankin Miller, who had also been widowed and they were married on June 16, 1999. They made their home in Clark County, which she loved so very much. He preceded her in death on November 15, 2010.

Survivors include four grandchildren: Stephannie (Mrs. Jeff) Guilfoyle of San Diego, CA, Janna (Mrs. Pat) McKenna of Chattanooga, TN, Rebecca Kathleen "Katie" Steckler and fiance, Nick Feer, of Blair, NE, and Chad Nathan (Jenny) Steckler of Omaha, NE; four step-children: Dr. Ed (Peggy) Ware of Knoxville, TN, Louise (Mrs. Bill) Bash of Kahoka, MO, Russell (Beverly) Miller of New Bloomfield, MO, and Jerry Lee (Teresa) Miller of Kahoka, MO; thirteen great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; nineteen step great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Dalene and Harve Bergman and Rosie Miller, all of Memphis, MO; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family whom she loved as her own.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Robert Ware and Gerald "Jerry" Miller; her daughter, Beverly Guilford Steckler; step-daughter, Greta Ware; siblings: Daniel Dienst, Elda Deardoff and Melda Melcher.

Anna was raised in "the bottoms" of Clark County, Missouri. She attended Keystone School, received her teaching certificate from Kirksville State Teacher's College and then taught at Keystone and Mt. Albia schools before moving to Quincy and teaching the next 29 years at Washington School. During part of that time, she was co-owner of Bob Ware Tours.

She loved to travel, play cards, collect items, raise a garden, and growing and caring for flowers. She was also an avid shopper. Anna never knew a stranger, could talk for hours on end, and wasnt happy unless cooking a big meal for family and friends. She had a servant's heart that insisted on her being hostess as she enjoyed fellowship with her family. If you ever met Anna, you were included as part of that family. Her love for others knew no boundaries.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka. Burial was in the Zion Cemetery, rural Kahoka, MO.

Memorials are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Quincy, IL, Zion Cemetery, or the donor's choice.