Mary Jane (Gray) Miller, 80, passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. She was born on May 2, 1940, to Tom and Laura (Moore) Gray in Monona County. She was the second youngest of ten children. Jane was raised near Dunlap, attended country school and graduated from Dunlap High School in 1958. On Feb. 27, 1960, Jane married John Francis Miller, her high school sweetheart, in Denison, and they were blessed with three children. The couple lived in Omaha until the fall of 1960 when they moved to their farm west of Dunlap. For many years Jane was a farm wife and mother. When the kids were older, she went to work at the Dunlap High School as a paraeducator. Jane loved helping students achieve success. As an owner of Valley View Kennels, she raised Pomeranians, a breed very close to her heart.
Jane was a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed many games with family and friends such as cards, sequence and dirty board. Her famous statement while playing games was “no table talk”. She had the love of crocheting which included making afghans and potholders. Many family members benefitted from this talent of hers. She loved to garage sale with her friends and a good bargain always made for a great day. Jane was also an avid mushroom hunter and she loved to teach her children and grandchildren the art of finding them. However, above all, Jane loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. One could always find a smile on her face.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John; parents; parents-in-law; brothers, Floyd, Cyril, Lloyd and Ervin Gray; sisters, Bernice Summerfield and Irene Laubscher; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is survived by her three children, Russell (Lori) Miller of Norfolk, Neb., Shelly (Bob) Buresh of Dunlap and Tami (Bud) Dunham of Dunlap; ten grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vera (Gary) Rosenberger of Carter Lake and Darlene Chilton of Las Cruises, N.M.; one brother, Jim (JoAnn) Gray of Dunlap; and many other relatives and friends.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. Father Don Bruck presided over the mass. The pallbearers were Thomas Buresh, Matthew Miller, Kenneth Dunham, Bridgit Jolkowski, Ashli Dunham, Amanda Roy, Liz Furman, Taylor Dunham, Emily Jones and Amy Schultz. Jane’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dunlap.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
