Lois Elise Miller

Lois Elise Miller, 72 of Devils Lake formerly of the Rolla, ND area passed away on Friday, September 2, 2011 in the loving care of her dear family and Mercy Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial for Lois will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Asselin will celebrate the Mass and burial in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Lois will be her grandsons Keith Mudgett, Ron Mudgett, Erik Ratzlaff, Logan Mudgett, Aaron Betz, Joseph Miller and Marc Wentz. Music will be provided JoDee Lagein. Reading the Scriptures will be by Joanne Musolf and Laura Boucher. Gift Bearers will be Annie Rose Ratzlaff, Kacy Mercer and Levi Boucher. Lois Elise was born on February 12, 1939 on the family farm at Thorne, ND, the daughter of Marciel R. and Kathleen L. (Zura) Boucher. At a young age, she moved with the family to Rolette, ND and attended Wolf Creek school for a few years, then moved with the family to Rolla and graduated from Rolla High School with the class of 1956. She was at one time married to Don Butts with whom she had six children. Lois and her six children lived in Rolla when she met the “Milk Man”, the love of her life, Keith Miller and they were united in marriage on December 29, 1967. Keith and Lois remained in Rolla until after school ended in May and the family moved to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and welcomed two more children into their lives, lovingly caring for now a family of eight. Lois began her career as a CNA at the Rolla Community Hospital in 1962. After moving to Devils Lake that career continued at Mercy Hospital where she worked for 35 plus years as an OB Technician. She was truly a working mother-as she was also a devoted wife and caring, loving mother to her children while working outside the home. Lois retired in 2004 due to health problems. She didn’t end her career there however; she later started caring for individuals in their homes. Lois cared for many generations of families at Mercy and felt a special bond in the OB Department to the several generations of “Moms” she cared for over the years. Lois enjoyed the outdoors and gardening. She had flower and vegetable gardens, canning the vegetables to help feed her large family through the winter. She did quilt and she made sure all of her children and grandchildren received one of her quilts. She also did many different types of arts and crafts through the years. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary where she served as secretary for several years and also served on the North Dakota HIV/AIDS Community Awareness Committee. Lois will be greatly missed by all those entrusted to her care, her beloved husband and dear family and friends. Lois is survived by her husband of 43 years, Keith; children: Elisa (Richard) Mudgett, Devils Lake, Kathleen (Calvin) Haskew, Marysville, WA, Craig (Desiree) Miller, Williston, ND, Marcella Mudgett (Kelvin Carlson), Devils Lake, Joseph Miller, Rapid City, SD, Sarah Miller (John Kuk), and Margaret “Maggie” Miller (Greg Hanson), all of Devils Lake; grandchildren: Vanessa Henderson, Katy Beth Mudgett, Hillary Mudgett and Logan Mudgett; Erik Ratzlaff, Annie Rose Ratzlaff and Caelin Haskew; Cass Miller, Courtney Hendrickson and Scarlett Miller; Keith Mudgett, Ron Mudgett, Joshua Mercer, Kacy Mercer, Emily Mudgett and Nicole Avdem; Michael Chad Miller and Michael Amund Miller; Kayla Betz, Aaron Betz, Chelsea Betz and Haley Miller; Joseph Miller and Marc Wentz; fourteen great grandchildren; brother Donald (Laura) Boucher of Grey Eagle, MN; several nieces and nephews and their families also survive. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; son Marc Butts; granddaughter Ericka Mudgett and brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Kenny and Mavis Miller and Frances Miller.