Obituary of Erma Miller

Miller, Erma L. of Ritzville, Washington passed away on December 1, 2010 at the age of 91. Erma was born July 8, 1919 in Odessa, Washington at the home of her parents Henry Strate and Lola Doran Strate. She graduated from Odessa High School Class of 1938 and was an Odessa Cheerleader. Her first job was as a life guard at the Odessa City Pool which helped her recover from Polio. She attended Eastern Washington State College for two years. In 1939 Erma moved to Seattle living with her aunt Lydia and was employed by the Boeing Company for a short time. On November 21, 1942 Erma married W. Walters Miller, a Ritzville attorney who was then home on leave from the Navy during World War II. At the end of Walt's leave, Erma returned to Seattle where she was employed for a period of time by the Army Engineers driving a staff car for Army officers who were building the B-29 Bomber. In 1943 Erma moved to San Diego where Walt had been transferred. On June 7, 1945 Richard W. Miller was born in San Diego. Later that year the family moved back to Ritzville and lived with Walt's parents for a year and a half while reestablishing Walt's law practice. In 1948 Walt and Erma moved into their new home in Ritzville immediately following the birth of their second son, Brian H. Miller, on April 6, 1948. That house remained the family home and the only home that the Walt Miller family had together until Erma's passing. Upon marriage Erma joined the Methodist church in Ritzville and remained active in the church until her later years when she lost her eyesight. Erma was very involved in local civic and fraternal organizations including past President of the Legion Auxiliary, past President of the Adams County Cancer Society and past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star. She loved playing bridge and was a member of several different bridge groups over the years. She enjoyed reading, travelling, attending sporting events and simply visiting with friends and family. Her most endearing legacy was one of wife, mother and friend. She loved her home and her home was a place where children of the neighborhood and her son's friends could always find a welcome and pleasant visit. She was an excellent and devoted wife and one of the kindest and most affectionate mother's that could be found. Erma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walt and brothers Glen Strate and Lamar Strate. She is survived by her son Richard and his wife Janis; her son Brian and his wife Suzi; a grandchild Richard Bradley Miller; a step-grandchild Brian Schaffer, his wife Dawn and their children; and numerous nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank the staff at Life Care, Rose Garden Estates and EARH for their loving care of our mother. Services will be held on Friday, December 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church with reception following. Erma was cremated at her request. Due to weather conditions, the family has elected not to have a grave site service. Memorial contributions are suggested to Ritzville Lions Club Legion Hall Building Fund 219 W Main Ritzville, WA 99169. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org