DONNIE MILLER OBITUARY

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           Donnie Jean (Martin) Miller, 72, 

        of Russell, Kansas 

                            passed away 
                Monday, January 19, 2015 
                                    at 
     Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Donnie was born December 9, 1942 in Augusta, Kansas, the daughter of Troy H. and Mary A. (Newman) Martin.  They lived in Lyons, Kansas until Donnie was in the 5^th grade and they moved to Russell.  Then her freshman year they moved out to Fairport, Kansas.  She graduated from Paradise High School.

Donnie was united in marriage to Duane Miller on June 11, 1960 in Russell, Kansas.  This union was blessed with three children; David, Dru and Micah.  They made their home in Topeka, Kansas for thirteen years before moving to Arkansas City, Kansas.  Then they moved to Owosso, Michigan where they lived for three years before moving to Opelousas, Louisiana.  Then in 2002 they returned to Russell.

Donnie worked for Security Benefit of Topeka and an Administrative Assistant, then worked for Allied Insurance Co. in Arkansas City as a licensed agent.  She was a Department Manager for Flint Michigan Insurance Co. in Michigan.  When living in Louisiana, she worked for Opelousas Family Clinic and worked at the Acadiana Preparatory School to be closer to her children who attended the school.  She then worked for the Russell Regional Hospital as a switchboard operator for many years before retiring in 2010.  She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.  She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who put her family first.  She also enjoyed fishing, boating, and raising and training show dog Collies.

Surviving family include her husband of 54 years, Duane of the home; son, Dru Miller (Jenna) of Gorham, Kansas; daughter, Micah Becker (Ryan) of Milberger, Kansas; brother, Terry Martin of Cartwright, Oklahoma; and nine grandchildren, Conner, Christian, Janessa, Riley, Malachi, Reagan, Elijah, Matthias and Jenson.  She was preceded in death by her parents and son David Miller.

Celebration of Donnie’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 23, 2015 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Pastor Dennis Finch officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Fairport Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Thursday, January 22, 2014 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A Memorial has been established with Russell Regional Hospital.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to the funeral home. 



Each of us that has known Donnie has admired and loved her very much.  Her courage has been absolutely superb and she has been an inspiration to everyone. To know that she was a 7 1/2 year stage 4 colon cancer survivor and then lose her life from a fall from her porch is more than we can understand or comprehend. God works in mysterious ways and we have to trust Him - especially in times like this.  We have lost a Saint - Heaven has gained "Our Saint."

To her family, we can't express enough how sorry we are for your loss. You certainly do have a lovely and beautiful life to celebrate.
God Bless You and Love & Prayers to each of you. 

Life is a matter of choices made at every fork in the road, 
and none made for an easy way to carry or lighten the load.
Donnie was strong, she carried on through the fog of life; 
able to say
"I fought the good fight, did my very best, 
triumphed over my fears and laid them all to rest.

I’ve made my share of mistakes, 
but by my choices I still stand, 
for in all my chosen paths, 
there’s always been God’s hand reaching out 
to guide and comforting each and every day, 
and in all my darkest hours,
that grace has shone the way."