Eleanor Miller

Eleanor Rose Hanson Miller

Eleanor Rose Hanson Miller was born Feb. 22, 1918, to Augusta and John Hanson in Iron River, Michigan.  Eleanor was a talented young woman and began taking piano lessons at an early age.  Her childhood home was filled with music.

After high school, Eleanor moved to Chicago and worked at Michael Reese Hospital in the pediatric unit.  There she met Vi Miller, a young nurse from Hibbing.  When Vi’s brother, John, came to visit on leave from WW II, he and Eleanor began a long distance romance through letters for the remainder of the war.  Eleanor also took a second job for the Army Ordinance as an inspector.

When WW II ended, John and Eleanor married on November 16, 1946, and moved to Hibbing where they made their home and raised their family.

Wanting their family to appreciate the joys of Northern Minnesota, John and Eleanor built a cabin in the early 1950’s on Little Sturgeon.  The cabin provided years of fishing, skiing, and fun for the Miller family, grandchildren, and friends.

Eleanor and John also shared their love of travel with their family by taking them on numerous cruises and travels.

But one of the greatest gifts Eleanor gave to her family and friends was her love of music.  Until the last weeks of her life, Eleanor played her piano daily and entertained anyone who stopped by with her jazzed up rendition of St. Louie Blues and any requested song.

Eleanor was active in First Lutheran Church of Hibbing and was a consummate home maker.  Until her death on Feb. 9, 2015—just two weeks before her 97th birthday—Eleanor cleaned her own home and baked and cooked and enjoyed having people stop in for bars, ice cream, and Ready Whip.

Eleanor is greatly loved and missed by her son, Thomas (Patty) of Pengilly; daughter Marilyn (Ken) Anderson of Roswell, GA; grandchildren Damon (Brandi) Anderson of Davidson, NC, Andrew Miller of Anchorage, Alaska, Lisbeth (Shane) Fay of Dallas, TX, and Austin Miller of Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; and six great-grandchildren:  Allie, Michael and Grant Fay and Georgia, Griffin, and Hutton Anderson; a sister-in-law, Vi Miller Krefting of DeKalb, IL;  loving nieces and nephews; neighbors, Joe and Carol Wessinger; and many dear friends.

Eleanor is joining in death those who preceded her—her husband of 64 years, John Miller; her sister, Linnea; her parents, Augusta and John; and a brother and sister in-law, Rudy and Helen BonVincin.

Eleanor’s long and beautiful life will be celebrated on Monday, June 15, at her church, First Lutheran in Hibbing.  Visitation is from 10—11 AM; Service is from 11—12 and luncheon with family and friends is at noon.

Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

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