Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, at Canton Lutheran Church. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Service: Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Canton Lutheran Church.
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Velma Marie Miller “Babe”, 79, died March 18, 2024, with family by her side at her home at the Good Samaritan Society, Canton, SD. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Canton Lutheran Church. Visitation, with family present, will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 27 at Canton Lutheran Church. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Babe was born on August 20, 1944, in Hudson, SD, at the family home just east of Hudson. She was the fifth child of Clay and Lucy (Duncan) McKee, and was named after her midwives Velma McVay and Marie DeBondt. She would eventually be known to many as Babe.
She attended Garfield country school until age 8, when the family moved into Hudson. She then attended school in Hudson, where she proudly received penmanship awards. She never had a television growing up, and instead she would play with dolls, collect rocks, go to movies, and roller skate. She also adored Elvis Presley and collected Elvis memorabilia. In addition to having four older siblings, Babe became an aunt at the age of six. Her siblings, nieces, and nephews always had a special place in her heart.
Babe married the love of her life, Ward Miller, on December 30, 1960, in Pipestone, MN. Becoming part of Ward’s family then brought her nine more siblings, and dozens more nieces and nephews to love. Ward and Babe were blessed with five children: Rick, Bob, Rox, Ryan, and Weylin. They made their home in Hudson until they moved to Canton in 1984.
Her first job was setting pins at a bowling alley in Hudson making 10 cents a line. She also had jobs as a waitress, nurse aid, teachers’ aid, and provided in-home daycare services in both Hudson and Canton. She sold Figurettes and Avon and worked at Hardware Hank, A&R Grocery Store, and Canton Food Center. She also helped with Ward’s businesses over the years when he was selling cars and houses. Her most favorite job of all, though, was the job that came with the title of Mom, which later came with the bonus title of Grandma Babe!
Babe had the most fun-loving personality and credited it to being Irish. She enjoyed playing cards, dancing, especially jitterbugging with Ward, organizing family gatherings, baking, and cooking. If someone unexpectedly stopped by the house, she could pull a meal together in no time. Her children’s friends were always welcome and found a special place in her big heart, which was later carried on to the grandchildren’s friends as well. Her children and grandchildren participated in several activities across the decades. Ward and Babe were always there to support. Sitting in the bleachers, she also made lifelong bonds with other parents and grandparents as they watched their children’s and grandchildren’s activities over the years. Neighborhood kids would always find her waiting with a treat for them as they passed by her house. Her heart was so full of love, and she shared it when teaching Bible school, volunteering to help others, and just loving all people. Her friends were also a treasured gift to her, and if you had time, she would love to have some ice cream with you.
Babe’s faith was unwavering. She was confirmed at Hudson Congregational Church, and was a member of both the Hudson Lutheran Church and Canton Lutheran Church. She taught bible school and rarely ever missed a Sunday service. Babe faced many challenges in life, but through it all, she relied on her faith and leaned on God. It is a great gift to all of us to know that she never doubted God was with her through all of the hardships.
Babe was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. After Ward passed in 2017, Babe then lived in Hudson with her daughter and son-in-law. In 2019, she moved to Canton to live at the Canton Good Samaritan Society. She quickly gained the love of staff and residents as this became her home until her passing. Staff and residents would tell you she was always trying to find a ride back to Hudson, and never stopped loving Ward.
Blessed to have been loved by Babe are her five children Rick (Ruth) Miller of Sioux Falls SD, Robert (Renee) Miller of Boca Raton FL, Roxanne (Steve) Wickre of Hudson SD, Ryan (Gina) Miller of Lake in the Hills IL, and Weylin Miller of Harrisburg SD; sixteen grandchildren Josh (Jess), Tracy, Kate (Pat), Torrance, Rachel (Justin), Andrew (Michelle), Stephanie (Logan), Sami Jo (Nate), Justyce (Seth), Dylan, Alexis (Campbell), Logan, Jonathon, Brockton, Abigail and Danica; eighteen great-grandchildren Connor, Raider, Allegra, Ryland, Keyan, Rayne, Braxton, Harper, Paislee, Reid, Adilee, Knox, Evelyn, Hendrix, Willow, Kase, Daphni, and Kollyns; her sister Bev Osterkamp; Miller family Karen Miller, Butch (Millie) Miller, Judy (Butch) Bakker, Marge (Gene) Baker, Alma Miller, Dave (Burnett) Miller, Pam (Ray) VanOverschelde, Peggy Miller, Laura (Kevin) Nelson; many cousins, nieces and nephews; many friends, they were more like family in her heart, and her Canton Good Sam family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ward; parents Clay & Lucy; daughter-in-law Stacy Ann; siblings Junior (Juana) McKee, Shirley (Pete) VanEgdom, Chet (Sondra) McKee, Charlie Osterkamp; in-laws, Harvey (Polly) Miller; brothers-in-law, Jerry Miller and Mike Miller; nephews Henry McKee and Brad VanEgdom; and nieces Tammy McKee, Amy Baker Knight and Polly Baker. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She was such a nice person! Enjoyed knowing her. Pattty and Craig
Babe you and ward were always one of the nicest folks I ever met. Enjoyed my days being around you and family. To everyone just know she’s back to being the way she was happy and no pain and back with the ones she loved that has left already.
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. May her memories bring you comfort.
Babe was such a nice person,and so was ward I knew them both for many years before there first born. Good people ,God bless Ron Tyrrell
One of the sweetest souls ever that I was privileged to call a friend!!(Even though I thought of her as a second mom) My sympathies are with the family, good bye is never easy no matter what the circumstances!!
I’m so sorry to hear Babe passed away she spent a lot of time at ” the Garden ” she was always a joy to see & we laughed a lot, good memories for me my condolences to your family
Farewell babe , I’ve always loved your loving smile and kind heart . I loved your closeness with ward . You raised a beautiful family. I was young and I remember you always having a warm kindness . Ward too. My dad always said those are some good people . Then later on in my life I had 3 children , with Charlie Osterkamp’s nephew mark. So therefore , I met bev. I remember saying “punky ? You know my sister babe ? Right ? And then there it was , you two standing beside each other , sisters .
I know ward was there to look in your eyes to bring you permanently to the mansion in heaven . I know my dad was sitting with Charlie and most likely getting the memories going and knowing the music would be starting . You are no longer waiting and wondering, you’re there.
Tell everyone hello, and find Mae Wilde , let her know her grandkids miss her and dick.
See you later . You’re in a place where it’s the best , even the roses can be stomped on , and they pop right back up, without any thorns
My deepest sympathy to all the kids and anyone who knew babe miller
Babe and I were friends since we met in the third grade some kids were picking on her and I saved her from the bullies. After that time we were inseparable always together we made fudge we went biking together and picnics, which Babe really loved doing. Babe and I were more like sisters than friends people would see us and say wherever Caren is Babe is there. When she started dating Ward we were like the three musketeers always together.. I attended their wedding. I married and moved away, but we remained friends by writing letters and phone calls and we saw see each other at least twice a year. Babe and i were “forever friends” and we will have a wonderful reunion one day in heaven. I look forward to that. Praying peace and comfort for the beautiful Miller family.