Rose Marie "Rosie" Miller

Rose Marie (Campbell) Miller was born in Kansas City, Kansas on September 8th of 1948. She is the daughter of Captain George Willis (G.W.) and Leona Ruth (Miller) Campbell. She spent her early years traveling across the United States with her parents and siblings, Sue and John. As a small child, her mom recalls that "Rosie" would call any man in uniform "daddy." Perhaps these early years, traveling to California, Hawaii, and the east coast inspired Rose's love of traveling.

When G.W. retired from the Marine Corps, their family called Topeka, Kansas home. Rose graduated from Topeka West High School in 1966, then continued her education at Washburn University, where she was an active member of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha. She graduated from Washburn University in 1970, receiving a Bachelor of Education. Rose moved to Emporia and graduated with a Master's Degree in Special Education from Emporia State in 1975. She was a dedicated educator and Christian throughout her life.

Rose's cousin, Donna, introduced her to Grover Franklin Miller in 1971. Theirs was a great love, full of memories that Rose treasured. They loved each other so much that they were married twice! First in December of 1972 and then again in June of 1978, after they discovered they would rather be together…come what may…than to be apart. Years later, Rose recalled that they never really were apart even during their divorced years. They wrote love letters and continued to see each other often.

In their early married years, Rose and Grover were a lively couple who enjoyed dancing, hosting friends and family for parties, bowling in a league, and having adventures all over the country. They spent many years traveling to see sites and to hear live music, including Kenny Rogers at Disneyland and Elvis in Las Vegas! They enjoyed going to the races, traveling, and were always involved with their children and their church. Sadly, Rose lost the love of her life in February of 2022.

Rose and Grover loved their children beyond measure. Rose was a step-mom to Lorie and Robin. They remember her as a hip step-mom: Rose was "young, groovy, and beautiful." She would take Lorie and Robin out in her 1965 Mustang and on shopping trips. They enjoyed water skiing at their cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks. Rose was loved dearly by Grover's family and friends, with family coming together every year at the annual Christmas Eve and Fourth of July parties.

Rose was blessed to have three children with Grover; Michelle, Kim and Marc. She was overjoyed to raise her children, staying at home in the early years. She loved decorating her home for every season and celebrated every holiday by giving her children a little brown bag of goodies in the morning. Once her children were old enough for school, it was still important for her to be home after school everyday. She always made time for family fun and travels, enjoying skiing, boating, and camping trips. She attended various sports and extracurricular activities to support her children, and often volunteered as a chaperone or organizer of events.

Rose dedicated the majority of her professional life to Bristol Hill UMC Preschool. She began as a preschool teacher and then later served as the preschool director for many years. Her children remember many late evenings of their mom preparing materials, paperwork, and event planning for the preschool. Rose loved having a positive influence on so many young lives.

Rose had many hobbies over the years. She has played the piano everyday since she was a young girl. Rose loved to travel and to have new experiences. She especially enjoyed her study abroad opportunity in Copenhagen. Rose was never without a camera for her travels and family events, collecting thousands of pictures which she kept over the years. She enjoyed painting wooden crafts, creating beautiful items that her family still treasures. Rose almost never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune; the goal was to solve the puzzle before the contestants did. Rose loved a good competition.

As her daughters became active with Job's Daughters, so did Rose. She was a chaperone and an adult leader for many years with her girls, playing the piano for numerous events. Rose assumed many leadership positions over the years and became Grand Guardian of the state of Kansas in 2003. She continued to be active in Job's Daughters activities throughout her retirement years and to stay in touch with her "Jobie" friends.

In retirement, Rose was busy! Her home was always open to their children and grandchildren to visit. She loved being with her grandchildren and attending their events as often as she could. Rose was known to play a fierce game of Uno, cutting her grandchildren no slack on the rules. Rose and Grover loved playing against one another in card games, board games, and Wheel of Fortune, keeping score on the fridge each week to see who could win the most games!

Rose is survived by her sister, Susie Irby, of Wichita, KS; children Lorie Hartley (Ron) of Kansas City, MO, Robin Anderson of Shawnee, Michelle Brinker (Jesse) of Lawrence, Kimberlee Glowacki of Florissant, CO, and Marc Miller of Gardner, KS; 8 grandchildren: Spencer, Taylor, Isabella, Samuelle, Dakota, Lexie, Mason, Cordelia and Kate. She is blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Toby and Quinnley. She will be remembered as a kind, generous, and valued "Nana."

Services will be held at Bristol Hill United Methodist Church, 4826 County Line Rd, Kansas City, Kansas on Tuesday, October 14th. Visitation begins at 10:30 am, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 am. Memorial gifts can be sent to Bristol Hill Preschool in honor of Rose Miller.

A private inurnment service for Rose and her husband, Grover, will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date.