Mary Lou Miller Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Mary Lou Miller

Mary Lou Miller, 86, of Ankeny, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA) with visitation from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Casket bearers will be Dean Anderson, Tom Anderson, Zebulon Miller, David Rewoldt, Dakotah Reed, and Ron Sproston. Honorary casket bearers will be Neal Miller, Jimmie Carton, Ann Miller, Sarah Rewoldt, Emily Reed, and Zackery Miller. She will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery in Polk City.

Mary was born on July 22, 1938, in Boone, Iowa. On November 30, 1956, she married the love of her life, Ben R. Miller, and together they built a home in Polk City. They later embarked on a new chapter, purchasing a dairy farm in Prescott where they raised their four children, Starla, Carmen, Ben, and Annette, until Ben’s passing in 1979. In 1983, Mary returned to the Des Moines area, where she dedicated many years to serving others as a nurse’s aide and cook before retiring on her 80th birthday from TMC in Ankeny.

A woman of many joys, she had a fondness for shoes and handbags. Her excitement over “As Seen on TV” gadgets became a source of joy for her children and grandchildren, whom she gifted with her latest discoveries. She also had a passion for collecting teapots, baking, and preparing Sunday dinners—gatherings that became a cherished tradition. Her kitchen was filled with love and laughter, as she sang along to the radio and danced while cooking family favorites, including pies, scalloped potatoes, meatloaf, and even fried mush—one of Ben’s favorites.

Mary found simple pleasures in cowboy movies, episodes of I Love Lucy, and her beloved soap operas. But nothing brought her greater joy than Christmas, a time when she poured her heart into selecting the perfect gifts for her family, wrapping each one with care and affection. Above all, Mary was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her love for her family was boundless, and she made sure they always came first. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering devotion, kindness, and love that will live on in the hearts of those she cherished.

Mary is survived by her children, Starla (Ron) Sproston, Carmen (the late Paul) Morris, and Annette Miller; Daughter-in-Law, Joan Miller (wife of the late Ben E. Miller); her 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ben R. Miller; her son, Ben E. Miller; her parents, Vera and Ralph Leist, Frank Camp; her son-in-law, Paul Morris; her nine sisters and two brothers.

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