Dorothy Jean Miller

Dorothy Miller, 91, of Willow Lake, passed away on November 15, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Willow Lake Evangelical Church in Willow Lake, SD.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Collins Cemetery in Willow Lake.  All are invited back to the church to join in a time of fellowship and a meal following burial.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dorothy Jean Johnson was born June 18th, 1934, in their family home by Carpenter, SD to Jelix (Hjalmer) & Caroline (Schamens) Johnson where she lived with seven siblings. Along with living in Carpenter, they spent time living in a camper when her father would travel for his construction job. After Hjelmar's passing, they moved to Willow Lake where Dorothy attended school, graduating in 1952.

After graduation, Dorothy married Kenneth Miller on June 1st, 1952. They lived between Carpenter and Willow Lake where they raised their four children-Glenn, Vicki, Tom & Kris.

Dorothy was an active member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willow Lake. Even when age slowed her down, she was always listening to service on the radio and well loved by her congregation.

Dorothy spent a brief time working outside the home at the drugstore in Willow Lake, but her true passion was being a homemaker and farmwife with a vast variety of hobbies and skills. She had a passion for horses and livestock, sold many eggs and plucked even more chickens and pheasants. She always had a large bountiful garden and apple orchid where she harvested and made the best apple pies. Her grape jelly and homemade buns were a favorite of her family. Each time a batch of infamous potato salad was made (which is such a pain you know!), angel food cake was baking as well because you just don't waste those egg whites! All of us were blessed at least once in our lives with an infamous Dorothy cake-baked with love and decorated with the most intricate of details, all from scratch.

Alongside her love of baking was her passion of repurposing well-loved furniture and giving it new life. So many pieces were stripped down and restored to their natural beauty with her attention to detail.

She was well known for her many hats and always being dressed to the nines. Each hat held a story and completed and outfit perfectly.

Her collection of dolls was one to be revered. Just ask any of the grandkids how their sleepovers at grandmas in the doll room was-I'm sure they'll have a story for you!

As time slowed down her busy body, it didn't stop her hands and mind. She was often found doing a crossword puzzle, jigsaw puzzle, knitting and embroidering tea towels while watching the Price is Right and Gunsmoke. So many homes (over 150 at the last count on her list) are filled with afghans hand made with love, prayers and patience. She was always quick to donate to any benefit one of her masterpieces in hopes of helping a family in need. Each home is drying their dishes with a tea towel of intricate embroidery. Although we often heard of how difficult a pattern could be, it didn't stop her from completing it perfectly.

Dorothy was never one to forget anything. A card was always sent for birthdays, anniversaries, special events and especially to the veterans.

To know Dorothy was to know the eyebrow lift look, the gruff quick witted responses, the quick to worry and even quicker to pray (where's your dang hat and zip up your coat!), and her 'You don't have time to hear it' when asked how she was. Beneath that tough exterior was the biggest heart of love and worry for everyone.

Waiting for her arrival in Heaven was her husband Kenneth, daughter Vicki, grandson Guy, her parents Jelix & Caroline, siblings-Doris (Bob) Madsen, Edward Johnson, Lois (Claire) Warkenthien, Janice (Roger) Malcomb, Judy (Sonny) Damm, Glenn (died at age 2), In-laws, Harry & Anna Miller, siblings in law, Lloyd (Pauline) Miller, Dorothy (Walter) Lillie, Shirley (Karsten) Winger, Mildred (Sim) Collinson, Clarence (Gloria) Miller, Harold (Viola) Miller, along with nieces, nephews, many special friends and her beloved dog, Dr. Phil.

Keeping her memories and traditions (and maybe a little sass) alive on earth are her children-Glenn (Wanda) Miller, Tom (Karen) Miller, Kris Miller and son-in-law Myron LaMont. Grandchildren-Jeremy (Denise) Miller, Jessica (Steve) Manger, Kelsi LaMont, Casey (Michael) Haselhorst, Lindsey (Dylon) Bollock, and step grandchildren Ryan (Adriana) McCauslin, Morgan (Tom) Nolan.

Great grandchildren Gabriel Miller, Ryder LaMont, Gage Manger, Oakleigh & Berklee Bollock, and step great grandchildren Zoe & Zane McCauslin, Emmett, Sawyer & Hudson Nolan, Andrew & Bryce Johnson along with beloved nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Johnny Fonken American Legion #113 or the Collins Cemetery.

The Miller family also suggests that floral arrangements be ordered through Flegels Flowers of Lake Preston, SD or De Smet Flowers and Gifts.