Rose Miller

Rose Marie Miller, age 87, of Memphis, MO, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015 at the Scotland Co. Memorial Hospital in Memphis, MO.
Rose was born January 23, 1928 in rural Keokuk, IA, the first daughter of Walter and Marie Elizabeth Schmitt Ekle.
She was united in marriage to Harry Junior Miller on September 20, 1945 at Keokuk, IA. They enjoyed 61-1/2 yrs together.
Survivors include four sons, Earl (Sherry) Miller of Edina, MO, Glen (Suzy) Miller of Memphis, MO, Wally (Crystal) Miller of Burlington, IA and Carl (Tina) Miller of Kirksville, MO; two daughters, Jean (Tom) Myers of Memphis, MO and Marie "Mimi" (Ron) Alexander of Memphis, MO; one brother, Robert (Marilyn) Ekle of Farmington, IA; sister-in-law, Dalene (Harvey) Bergman of Memphis, MO; 39 grandchildren; 87 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; two great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Walter Ekle and Leroy Ekle; a sister, Janie Ihrig; and a grandson, Eric Myers.
Growing up on a farm near Keokuk, IA, Rose enjoyed the outdoor life immensely. Her love of gardening started at an early age working in the family strawberry and pickle patch. She was always more than happy to help her two older brothers with their outdoor chores! She loved when school started each year because she would get a new box of crayons....she loved the smell of them! Rose enjoyed reading and learning her entire life.
Life on the farm was wonderful....and she never sat still! She and Junior enjoyed their farm life and raising their six children. She kept all the farm records, and was a very precise bookkeeper. She was always there for Junior to give a helping hand in fixing the combine, tractor, trucks or camper---handing him the tools he needed. Junior and Rosie worked on their farms for 58 years together until they retired and moved to town in 2004, where she continued to "farm" in her garden and yard. She loved her flowers and watching the birds at her feeder.
After Junior died in 2007, Rose began a different lifestyle, being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in August of that year, God spared her for 8 more years---giving her time to travel with her children to many places including: Colorado via a Semi!, Branson and Silver Dollar City numerous times, Texas, Ontario Canada, Lake of the Ozarks on several occasions, a St Louis Cardinal Game, Montana, Hawaii, New England, Niagara Falls-(both sides!), Disney World, Prince of Wales Hotel in Alberta Canada, Paradise Point, and Springfield, MO to a State Math Competition.
In addition to her many travels, she faithfully attended her grandchildren's sports events, music concerts, school & community plays, spelling bees, graduations, weddings, baby showers, and other family events. She loved playing games, especially Rummikub and Yahtzee with her family. But you better not try to bend the rules-or you would hear about it!!!!
She was part of a four generation team for the last 7-1/2 years, working at M&O Concrete in Memphis, MO with her daughter Jean & husband Tom, her grandson Curtis Ebeling, and great grandson Joshua Ebeling. Using her bookkeeping skills, she did the company's deposits, filing, mail pickup as well as lending her advice in many areas and helping customers!!
Rose wore many hats. She was both a full-time wife and homemaker, farm bookkeeper, mother, grandmother, and a wonderful example of what it means to amplify Christ.
Rose was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Memphis and the director of the JOY (Just Over Youth) Group. She was faithful to her Adult Sunday School Class, and hated when she had to miss. Rose had a very positive outlook on life and never complained, being content in whatever circumstance. She enjoyed sharing her gardening skills, and the many crocheted items she made.
She gave canning & bread making classes at the Baptist Church, taught the younger children's Sunday School Class, worked on Wednesday nights at Team Kid, and did the Vacation Bible School registration and always helped in the kitchen. She wanted her children to learn to bloom where they were planted!
Her positive outlook on life, her contentment and her example of kindness, and steadfastness give her family their strong heritage. Junior was the driving force in the family and Rose was the "Rock". Nothing made her any happier than having her family gather at "Dad's Shed" for any occasion!!
Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2015 at Wilson Funeral Home with words of comfort by Pastor Dan Hite and Pastor Harry Miller. Special music was provided by Jean Myers, Beth Penner and Amber Miller. Pallbearers were: Clint Miller, Chad Ebeling, Angie Tipling, Matt Miller, Jennifer Gibson and Corey Miller. Burial followed in the Frazee Cemetery.
Friends called after 9 a.m. Thursday with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the JOY Group at First Baptist Church or Camp Leeper.

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