Anna M. Miller

KAHOKA, Mo. -- Anna M. Miller, 84, of Kahoka, died Friday (May 20, 2011) in Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill.

Anna was born Sept. 18, 1926, at her parent's home in rural Alexandria, a daughter of Arthur and Alma Jesberg Dienst.

She married Ralph Guilford in 1946 and they were the parents of a daughter, Beverly. Following their divorce, she was married to Robert Ware, who later preceded her in death. She was reunited with a former schoolmate, Gerald "Jerry" Rankin Miller, who also had been widowed, and they were married June 16, 1999. They made their home in Clark County, which she loved so very much. He died Nov. 15, 2010.

Anna was raised in "the bottoms" of Clark County, Mo. She attended Keystone School, received her teaching certificate from Kirksville State Teacher's College, and then taught at Keystone and Mount Albia schools before moving to Quincy and teaching second grade for the next 29 years at Washington School. During part of that time, she was co-owner of Bob Ware Tours.

She loved to travel, play cards, collect items, raise a garden, and grow and care for flowers. She also was an avid shopper. Anna never knew a stranger, could talk for hours on end, and wasn't happy unless cooking a big meal for family and friends. She had a servant's heart that insisted on her being hostess as she enjoyed fellowship with her family. If you ever met Anna, you were included as part of her family. Her love for others knew no boundaries.

Survivors include four grandchildren, Stephannie (Jeff) Guilfoyle of San Diego, Calif., Janna (the Rev. Pat) McKenna of Chattanooga, Tenn., Rebecca Kathleen "Katie" Steckler and fiance, Nick Feer, of Blair, Neb., and Chad Nathan (Jenny) Steckler of Omaha, Neb.; four stepchildren, Dr. Ed (Peggy) Ware of Knoxville, Tenn., Louise (Bill) Bash of Kahoka, Russell (Beverly) Miller of New Bloomfield and Jerry Lee (Teresa) Miller of Kahoka; 13 great-grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; 19 stepgreat-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Dalene and Harve Bergman and Rosie Miller, all of Memphis, Mo.; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family whom she loved as her own.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Robert Ware and Gerald "Jerry" Miller; a daughter, Beverly Guilford Steckler; a stepdaughter, Greta Ware; and siblings, Daniel Dienst, Elda Deardoff and Melda Melcher.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Wilson Funeral Home, Kahoka, with Pastor Martin Eden and Pastor Dan Deardoff conducting. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery in rural Kahoka.

VISITATION: after 9 a.m. Monday in the funeral home with family present from 5 to 8 p.m.

MEMORIALS: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Quincy, Zion Cemetery or donor's choice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Wilson Funeral Home, Kahoka.

WEBSITE: www.timeformemory.com/wilsonfh.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.