Geraldine Ruth Miller

Geraldine (Jerry) Ruth Miller, 88 of Spokane Valley, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children June 3rd, 2017 at Whitman Hospital and Medical Center in Colfax, Washington.

Jerry was born October 24th, 1928 in a farmhouse in South Dakota where she was one of eight children. All her siblings preceded her in her passing. She attended a one room schoolhouse until 7th grade at which her father lost his farm during the Great Depression and her family moved to Omaha Nebraska. After finishing grade school and high school it was there in Omaha Nebraska that she met her husband Carl Don Miller at Chermont ballroom where all the big bands played for the weekend dances. In love, they were married August 7th, 1948. The next few years entailed starting their young family and moving away for Don to complete his undergraduate studies. They then returned to Omaha, where Don attended medical school. After Don completed medical school the family moved to Spokane Washington where he completed his internship and established a practice in Spokane Valley in 1958. It was there that they raised their 6 children and established their permanent home.

Jerry had many passions including genealogy, crocheting, watching Gonzaga basketball, and was an avid snow skier up until the last two years of her life. Her biggest strength though was caring for her home and family. Her home was a place of love where all the family gathered and still gathers today. She also served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 64 years and was a worker in the Spokane Temple from 1990 until shortly before her death. Her example of strength and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her unselfish service to others has had an eternal impact on everyone around her, including her 6 children, 28 grandchildren, and 60 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and son James Paul Miller. She is survived by her children, Pat (Cherie), Mount Vernon Washington, Dan (Judy), Post Falls Idaho, Tom (Shauna), Hayden Lake Idaho, Susie (Kimball) Mellor, Colfax Washington, Bob (LeeAnn), Auburn Washington.

In lieu of flowers go clean your kitchen, watch a Zags game, and then go jump in a pool - she would have wanted that. Memorial donations in memory of Jerry may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 9th, 2017 at the LDS Foothills Ward, 5322 N. Evergreen Rd. Spokane WA. 10 a.m. viewing followed by 11 a.m. funeral.