Mavis Miller

Mavis Louise (Peterson) Miller went to walk with the Lord on April 8, 2019. There to greet her were her parents Clifford and Olive Peterson; her father and mother-in-law Ed and Evelyn Miller; husband Raymond Miller; brother Clayton Peterson; sister-in-law Mary Peterson; brothers and sisters-in-law Francis and Elaine Miller and Wayne and Leona Miller; niece Beth Berhow; and many dear friends and family. Mavis was born February 18, 1934 to Clifford and Olive Peterson in Albert Lea, MN. When she was 4 years old, her family moved to a farm near Hayward, MN, where she attended elementary school and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1952. She worked as a bookkeeper at Interstate Power in Albert Lea, Farmers State Bank in Hayward, MN, and later in life for 10 years at Norwest (now Wells Fargo) Bank in Austin, MN. She met her husband, Raymond Miller, on a 4-H hayride in 1951. They married on April 18, 1953 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin when Ray was home on furlough during the Korean conflict. Their first year of married life was spent apart while Ray served our country. Ray and Mavis farmed together near Oakland, MN for over 40 years, raising Guernsey dairy cattle that were often awarded honors at county and state fairs, and selling their milk to Anderson Erickson dairy in Iowa. They were blessed with 2 daughters. They were 4-H leaders and active in St. Edwards Catholic Church and the South Central Guernsey Association. Mavis kept things neat on the farm (and white show clothes clean), and often hosted family parties in the farm’s Honey House cottage. They moved into Austin in 1997. Mavis has been legally blind for the past 30 years, 20 years after being diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. But that didn’t stop her from living life to the fullest, making sure everyone she touched felt special, particularly during holidays. She had her daughters’ childhood dolls restored. She was the best “baby rocker.” She still made the best divinity (her husband Ray taught her how), hot chocolate (for the snowmobilers and skiers), lemon pie, and chocolate chip cookies in spite of her inability to see. Her other senses became her eyes. She had a beautiful voice, sang in the church choir, and loved to dance and the Minnesota Twins (when they were winning). She took good care of Ray when his health began to fail. She moved into Sacred Heart Assisted Living after Ray passed away and thrived for 5 ½ years before suffering a stroke last November when she moved into Sacred Heart Care Center. She was an amazing individual who was deeply loved by many and will be sorely missed. Her dear friend Chuck Keller captured her words of wisdom as follows: Be kind to one another, keep a smile on your face, and always appreciate the good that is done for you.” She is survived by 3 sisters: Shirley (Dick) Kraushaar (Austin, MN), Darlene (Blaine) Hoar (Royal, AR), Gayle (Earl) Neist (Albert Lea, MN); and 1 brother: Chuck Peterson (Albert Lea, MN); two daughters: Kathy (Eric) Rohrbaugh (Havertown, PA), Donna (Doug) Hogan (Las Vegas, NV); 4 granddaughters: Madison (Bethesda, MD) and Sydney Rohrbaugh (Pittsburgh, PA), Ashly (Cody) Beckes (Anchorage, AK), Samantha (Jon) Manning (Monticello, MN); 5 great grandchildren: Axel and Anja Beckes, Wesley, Camila, and baby boy Manning due in July; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 am on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Father James Steffes and Father Dale Tupper officiating. Friends may call from 6-8 pm on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Oakland. Per the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice in memory of Mavis Miller. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com

Service Information

Cemetery

Fairview Cemetery

Oakland MN

Visitation

Friday, April 12 2019
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Mayer Funeral Home
600 2nd Street NW
Austin MN 55912

Visitation

Saturday, April 13 2019
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Saint Edwards Catholic Church
2000 Oakland Ave West
Austin MN 55912

Service

Saturday, April 13 2019
10:30 AM

Saint Edwards Catholic Church
2000 Oakland Ave West
Austin MN 55912