Verna Miller

Verna (Swanson) Miller passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Charlevoix, MI. Verna was born to George and Julia (Weeks) Williams in Mancelona, MI on June 27, 1936. She was the seventh of 10 children and enjoyed a happy childhood in a large family that remained close throughout their lives.

Verna graduated from Alba High School as the class valedictorian in 1954. She married Larry Swanson of Charlevoix in 1957 and they raised their three sons in a home they built south of Charlevoix. Verna worked for several years as a cook in the Charlevoix Public School System and later as a receptionist at Charlevoix Area Hospital.

Following 44 years of marriage, Larry passed away in 2001. In 2003, Verna married Gordon Miller of Bronson, MI and for the next 22 years, they spent part of the year in Bronson and part of the year in Charlevoix enjoying time in both places.

To say Verna was a devout Christian and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother is putting it mildly. Over the years, she attended and was active in multiple churches in both Charlevoix and Bronson. Prayer, patience, a sense of humor and above all a loving heart filled with faith and kindness allowed Verna to occasionally put up with and endure, but most often and generally speaking enjoy, laugh, and celebrate years of fun and countless adventures with two husbands, three sons, three stepchildren, numerous grandchildren and many dear and wonderful family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Larry Swanson, her parents, her brothers Russell, Harold, Bill, Jerry and Don, and her sisters Vera and Verda. She is survived by her second husband, Gordon Miller, her sons L. Scott (Kathy) Swanson of Indian River, Gregg (Jan) Swanson of East Jordan, Nick (Melissa) Swanson of Charlevoix, stepchildren Rick (Connie) Miller of Bronson, Pam (Kevin) Bowers of Coldwater, Lisa (Greg) Harrell of Coldwater, brother Carl (Kathy) Williams of Mancelona and sister Lois (Jim) Jordan of East Jordan as well as numerous grandchildren and step grandchildren who brought great joy to her life.

Verna’s funeral will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. There will be a visiting period on Friday, Jan. 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the spring at Barnard Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com