Genevieve Miller

GENEVIEVE MILLER was born to Philip and Daisy May (Carey) Dandurand on July 27, 1921 in Marshall, Minnesota. As a young girl, she moved with her parents to St. Bonifas, Ontario, Canada. A short time later, they moved to Milroy, Minnesota where she attended elementary school. She continued her education at Marshall High School and graduated in 1939. On July 13, 1940, she was united in marriage to Walter C. Miller in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Following their marriage, they lived in Marshall. During World War II, Walt joined the Navy and Geny followed him to basic training at Navy Pier in Chicago where she worked in a ballbearing factory and then to Norfolk, Virginia where she lived with Walt's brother Otto and wife. When Walt was assigned to the Pacific fleet, she moved back to Marshall for two years waiting Walt's discharge and return from the Navy. In 1947, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where Geny worked at the Highway Caf. In 1950, she became employed at the Dairy Bar and at Sid & Min’s. Then, in 1969, she began working at the Burger Park. While working there, she also worked at the Pipestone Country Club and the Glass House in Ihlen, Minnesota. In 1971, she became employed at Gannon’s Restaurant in Pipestone where she worked until her retirement in 1983. Her husband preceded her in death on September 22, 1995. After his death, she continued to live in Pipestone. In January, 2008, she became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Thursday, July 14, 2011, she entered the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she died on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 20 days.

Geny was a member of Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Pipestone for many years and was currently a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. She was active in the United Methodist Women’s General Conference, and she served as the past president of the United Methodist Women’s Circle. She also served as a youth leader and a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteering her time with the County Extension Group, and she enjoyed serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother. Geny's favorite 'hobby' in her and Walt's retirement years was fishing. Her greatest joy was the time spent with her children and grandchildren for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Ronald W. Miller and his wife Carol of Plymouth, Minnesota, Janet F. Hill of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Nancy J. VanderZiel and her husband Richard of Chandler, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Sarah (Peter) Morrow and Rebecca (Seth) Pietrini and Tiffany VanderZiel and Madelaine VanderZiel; two great-grandchildren, Hunter Olson and Elora Morrow; two brothers, Robert Dandurand of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Gordon Dandurand and his wife Peggy of Carson, California; and two sisters, Lil Vierstraete and Joyce Wigton, both of Marshall, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband; three infant children, Richard Daryl, Susan Rae and Deanna June; her parents; two brothers, Maynard Dandurand and Duane Dandurand; and one sister, Olive “Myrt” Prosch.