Dianne Miller

Dianne C. (Johnson) Miller, age 68, of Spearfish, SD, went home to her Heavenly Father on September 25, 2016. The celebration of her life will be on 1:30pm Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Benton Lutheran Church, rural Crooks, SD. Visitation will be 12:00 pm to 4:00pm Friday, September 30, 2016 at Heritage Funeral Home. It will resume at 6:00-8:00pm at Benton Lutheran Church where the family will greet friends. Born in Sioux Falls, SD to Herbert and Alberta (Hustrulid) Johnson on December 27, 1947. Dianne was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many. As a farm child in the Crooks and Hartford, SD area, she adored playing with her many kittens, spending time with her grandparents, and Sunday afternoon picnics at the lake with family and friends. She attended Sunday school, and was confirmed at Benton Lutheran Church. Dianne attended school in Lyons, SD and graduated with high marks from Lyons High School in 1966. A young woman of many talents, she played clarinet in the school band, cheered for the school cheerleading squad, and helped in the school office. On May 6, 1967 she married her high school sweetheart and lifelong friend John Miller. With John she mothered two children, Brad and Deborah, who she loved dearly. Dianne was exceedingly proud of her children, helping them with homework, and of course, making sure the kitchen provided an endless supply of cookies and treats for their enjoyment. She was always there to cheer her children on at their many softball games, track meets, and BMX bike races. For her three grandsons, she reserved an extra special place in her heart. She loved caring for them, reading books, rocking them to sleep, and watching SpongeBob Squarepants with them. She enjoyed hearing about their adventures, encouraged them in their music, artwork, and studies. One of her most memorable trips was a family trip to Wrightsville Beach with her husband, children and grandchildren. Playing in the ocean, building sand castles, collecting sea shells, and enjoying hamburgers seaside would stay with her always. A road sign en route to North Carolina warned “Be alert, arrive unhurt,” which she misinterpreted (with some mischievous coaxing from John) as Bee alert arrive unhurt. “We should really protect ourselves from these bees,” she said worriedly to John, in a moment that would become family humor for years afterward. She and John were lifelong companions. They played couples softball together. On weekends they would photograph weddings, fastidiously editing photos to create that one perfect shot that would accompany each new couple through eternity. They were active members of the Faith Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, SD for decades – always generous, always there with open arms. Through it all, Dianne worked her way up through the Blue Cross Blue Shield company, becoming one of the company’s early female pioneers, and one of the highest tenured employees in the firm. Generations of executives knew Dianne for her acumen and encyclopedic knowledge of the company, and generations of women looked up to her as a role model. In 2013, she retired due to poor health brought about by Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. For the next three years, she waged a courageous battle against the debilitating combination of disease. During that time her family, friends, and above all her beloved husband John accompanied her through the terrifying journey – hands held tight. She will be missed dearly. Dianne is survived by her husband, John, two children, Deborah (Clint) Meyer of Spearfish, SD, Bradley (Dawn) Miller of McKinsey, Texas; three grandchildren, Maxwell Meyer, Bangkok, Thailand, Mark Meyer, Chicago, IL, Cameron Miller, McKinney, TX; two brothers, Gordon (Carole) Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD, Douglas (Sherry) Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law; Ruth Miller, Avondale, CO; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Dianne was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Alberta Johnson, her grandparents, and sister, Janis Dollman. The family would like to give a special thank you to the RNS and staff at the Wound Clinic, Home Health Care and Hospice in Spearfish, SD for their excellent, loving care of Dianne. The family requests memorials be directed to Feeding South Dakota. www.heritagesfsd.com