Obituary of Mary Ellen Miller

Obituary for Mary Ellen (Krause) Miller (1944-2024)

Mary Ellen Miller, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor, Alberta, at the age of 80 years. 

She was born July 12, 1944, in North Platte, Nebraska, to Glenn and Matilda Krause, joining her three older sisters.  Her parents worked tirelessly at Maranatha Bible Camp and instilled a love for service and music.  Mary Ellen was very involved with music at her childhood church.  She excelled academically and musically during her school years, graduating with honors and notable involvement in the National Honor Society and Quill & Scroll.  After high school, Mary Ellen attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was a prominent member of the Grace Chorale and earned a spot on the Dean’s List.

On October 24, 1964, Mary Ellen married Loren Miller, a young rancher from Maxwell, Nebraska.  She quickly adapted from city girl to rancher’s wife, traveling to local, state and national cattle shows. 

In 1966, Mary Ellen welcomed their first child, Mitchell Dean, and their second in 1970 with the birth of daughter, Jill Annette.  In May of 1978, Loren and Mary Ellen welcomed their youngest child, Steven Glenn.

In 1972 the family moved to Canada, into the Entwistle, Alberta area. Mary Ellen became a central figure in the Entwistle Community Church, singing, and playing piano and organ. She was a leader in AWANA clubs, church youth groups, organized church socials and holiday events, and numerous community events. 

The family moved to Coronation, Alberta in 1986.  Mary Ellen contributed to the music program at the Evangelical Free Church, and also served as the Assistant Recreation Director at the Coronation Nursing Home.

In 1989, they moved to a ranch near Cochrane, Alberta.  Mary Ellen found a new musical “home” at the Cochrane Alliance Church and served as the church administrator for 18 years.  She was known as the charismatic, fun, friendly face and voice of the church office.

In 1994, BBQ’s by ME started as a dream of Loren’s that became a reality with Mary Ellen’s full support.  Mary Ellen and Loren saw another opportunity to serve both their church and the Cochrane community.

Upon retirement, Mary Ellen and Loren traveled with their “home on wheels” throughout Canada and the United States, finding joy in new experiences and spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. In 2019 they settled in Castor, Alberta, enjoying senior-living spaces at the Prairie Manor and the Paintearth Lodge.

Mary Ellen and her sisters were especially close.  From 1996 through 2023 they met every two years somewhere in North America (from coast to coast and border to border) for a time of laughing, fun, tears and sharing.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Loren Miller; children Mitch (Angie) Miller of Omaha, Nebraska, Jill (Delvin) Bossert of Coronation, Alberta, and Steven Miller of Vancouver, British Columbia. She is also survived by sisters Lavonne Childerston of Aurora, Colorado, and Phyllis Wiebe of Winnipeg, Manitoba; grandchildren Matthew Miller (Kathryn Masters), Shaun Miller, Markie Bossert (Johnathan Ens), Karly (Robbie) Prindle, Teesha Bossert and daughter Haisley, Nicala Bossert (Jessica Potack and son Koda), and Zac Bossert, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Matilda Krause; baby brother, Donald Dean; sister Laverna Wescoat; brothers-in-law Howard Wescoat and Ward Childerston; her parents-in-law, Lloyd and Blanche Miller, step-mothers-in-law Nira Miller and Martha Jane Miller, sisters-in-law Shirley Nuttal and Pauline Edson, brother-in-law Clinton Miller and four unborn grandchildren.

Mary Ellen lived a life filled with faith, music, and a deep commitment to her family and community.

A CELEBRATION of Life will be held on October 1, 2024

at 1:00 PM (Mountain) at Cochrane Alliance Church

with a reception to follow.

The ceremony will be available via live stream at 

https://www.youtube.com/live/ak_eQXaqFtA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse (Samaritan's Purse Canada, 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, Alberta, T3J 5H5) or Maranatha Bible Camp (16800 East Maranatha Road, Maxwell, NE, USA, 69151-1025) or another organization that will continue to serve the Lord in her honor.