Mary
Mary Miller
d. October 8, 2008
Mary Margaret Miller, 97, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, at home. She was born July 31, 1911, in Bucyrus, Kansas to Ralph and Beulah (Guy) Cavaness. She grew up in Bucyrus and Paola, Kansas, and graduated from Paola High School in 1930. That fall she accepted a full time teaching position in a one-room country school, supporting her family of 8 and living in the back room of a farm house nearby.
After 5 years of teaching, Mary enrolled in the University of Kansas, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in home economics in 1939. While attending University, she met Winston Rivard Miller, also a student at the time. They were married at Mary's parents' home in Paola on August 28, 1939.
Winston completed his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1943. During the next 5 years, Mary and Winston lived in San Francisco; Great Lakes, Illinois; Frederick, Maryland; and Detroit, as Winston fulfilled his military obligations and completed his residency training in Internal Medicine. In 1948 Mary and Winston moved to Red Wing.
Mary immediately fell in love with Red Wing and became actively involved with multiple civic and community organizations. She served as President of the Red Wing League of Women Voters, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota State League Chapter. She was also active in many other community groups such as the American Association of University Women, American Field Service, and Art History. In 1955 Mary co-founded the Hedin-Hartnagel Foundation and served as its first Executive Director.
Mary served on the Red Wing Park Board for many years, and played a significant role in the creation of Bay Point Park and the expansion of Colvill Park. In 1977, following her husband's death, Mary co-founded Red Wing Hospice. She is also co-author of the book, Joseph Woods Hancock: the Life and Times of a Minnesota Pioneer.
A traveller and storyteller, Mary travelled to more than 50 countries around the world, and loved to tell stories about her travel experiences, as well as stories about growing up in rural Kansas.
Mary is survived by 3 children, Margaret Miller Clarke of Vancouver, BC, Winston Paul Miller (Kathy) of Washington, D.C., and Phillip Miller of Minneapolis; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Doris Pugliese of Sacramento, California. She was preceded in death by her husband Winston and 4 sisters, Virginia, Elizabeth, Winnifred, and Josephine.
Memorial Service will be at 1 P.M. Saturday, October 18, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be sent to the Red Wing Hospice. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.
After 5 years of teaching, Mary enrolled in the University of Kansas, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in home economics in 1939. While attending University, she met Winston Rivard Miller, also a student at the time. They were married at Mary's parents' home in Paola on August 28, 1939.
Winston completed his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1943. During the next 5 years, Mary and Winston lived in San Francisco; Great Lakes, Illinois; Frederick, Maryland; and Detroit, as Winston fulfilled his military obligations and completed his residency training in Internal Medicine. In 1948 Mary and Winston moved to Red Wing.
Mary immediately fell in love with Red Wing and became actively involved with multiple civic and community organizations. She served as President of the Red Wing League of Women Voters, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota State League Chapter. She was also active in many other community groups such as the American Association of University Women, American Field Service, and Art History. In 1955 Mary co-founded the Hedin-Hartnagel Foundation and served as its first Executive Director.
Mary served on the Red Wing Park Board for many years, and played a significant role in the creation of Bay Point Park and the expansion of Colvill Park. In 1977, following her husband's death, Mary co-founded Red Wing Hospice. She is also co-author of the book, Joseph Woods Hancock: the Life and Times of a Minnesota Pioneer.
A traveller and storyteller, Mary travelled to more than 50 countries around the world, and loved to tell stories about her travel experiences, as well as stories about growing up in rural Kansas.
Mary is survived by 3 children, Margaret Miller Clarke of Vancouver, BC, Winston Paul Miller (Kathy) of Washington, D.C., and Phillip Miller of Minneapolis; 5 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Doris Pugliese of Sacramento, California. She was preceded in death by her husband Winston and 4 sisters, Virginia, Elizabeth, Winnifred, and Josephine.
Memorial Service will be at 1 P.M. Saturday, October 18, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery following the service. Memorials may be sent to the Red Wing Hospice. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Miller, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors