Marian Jane Miller

Marian Jane Miller, 85, of Helena, died of natural causes on Jan. 2, 2008, with family at her side, after a brief stay at the Cooney Convalescent Home. She resided at Helena's Masonic Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Cora (Bateman) Foot; her stepmother, Gladys (Leckliter) Foot; stepsister, Lea Kindschy; her husband, Leo Miller; and her brother, Loren Foot.

Marian was born in Choteau in 1922. Her family later moved to Helena, where she attended Kessler and Hawthorne Elementary schools, Helena High and Helena Business College. She was editor of the Hawthorne Grade School newspaper, the Narrator. After the 1935 earthquakes damaged the high school building, she attended Helena's "high school on wheels" - railroad cars turned into classrooms.

During high school she helped her attorney father, and she went on to become a skilled executive secretary. Marian's high school years were filled with Rainbow Girls activities, including Drill Team, and Junior Auxiliary of the American Legion. One of her favorite memories was the honor of becoming the Rainbow Girls' Worthy Adviser. She loved memorizing poetry and was reportedly the first to fully memorize the complicated installation responses.

Before marriage, she worked for Western Life Insurance Company, US Fidelity and Deposit Company, Treasury Department, Western Union (just after they quit using roller skates), and Montana's Senator Jeanette Rankin. After marriage, she did not work outside the home until her youngest was in school. She then worked part-time for the Montana Education Association and as a full-time executive secretary for the Montana Department of Public Instruction. After moving to Alaska, she worked as a secretary for the North Star Borough School District, followed by work as an executive secretary for the Golden Valley Electric District.

In 1945, Marian joined Leo Miller in marriage, spending 48 years together before his death in 1993. They lived in Helena until 1976, then relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska, where they retired in 1984. They spent ten years as full time "snowbirds," traveling between Alaska and the lower 48 in their motor home. Marian returned to Helena and her many friends here after Leo's death.

Survivors include three sons, Dennis and Doug "Slim," both of Helena, and Jim of Fairbanks, Alaska; three daughters, Joan Crum of Helena, Terry Kelly of La Pine, Ore., and Kay Miller of Gallup, N.M.; stepsister, Shirley Moudree; five grandchildren, Deona Miller (Fink), Candy Miller, Sharon and Shawn Kelly and Jesse Miller-Harris; two great-grandchildren, Aiden Fink and Josephine Kelly; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Marian's life will take place at 11 a.m, on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the First Christian Church, 311 Power St., Helena, followed by a reception at the church. Interment of Marian's ashes will occur at Forestvale Cemetery after the reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of St. Peter's, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, or to Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943, Helena, MT 59624.

Express condolences at www.legacy.com/HelenaIR/.