Betty Lou Miller

Betty Lou Miller, 90, of Sugar Grove, died Saturday, November 18, 2017, at The Tillers in Oswego, IL. She was born in Aurora, IL on March 24, 1927, the daughter of Mathew Trierweiler and Ada (Hauser) Trierweiler. She graduated from East Aurora High School in 1945 and married Ross Charles Miller, also from Aurora, on November 8, 1947. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. Betty and Ross traveled up and down the West Coast for the first 12 years of their marriage, including spending one-and-a-half years in the Territory of Hawaii, while Ross served in the US Navy. Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1959, they moved back to Aurora and have lived in the area ever since.

In addition to her enduring love for her husband, Betty loved to serve her community and did so in a number of capacities throughout the years. Betty was an enthusiastic member of the Girl Scouts for 59 years, starting in 1958. She served as a troop leader for 11 years, was a member of the finance committee for 30 years, was a neighborhood chairperson, cookie chairperson, and a member of the nominating committee. She was a member of the Council Board of Directors for more than 30 years. She served as President of the Fox Valley Council from 1980 – 1987 and attended 11 National Conventions. In 1973 she received the Thanks Badge, the highest award given in Girl Scouting, as well as the Thanks Badge II in 1991. She was awarded with Life Membership in 1986.

Betty also served on the PTA boards for Hall Grade School, Jefferson Middle School, and West Aurora High School.  She was Treasurer for the Aurora West Council PTA and received Life Membership from the PTA in 1971. Betty additionally served on the church council at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Aurora on several occasions over a 25-year span. Together with her husband, they organized and lead the Adult Fellowship Group at that church from 1975-2000. In 1983 she was presented with the Lamb Award, the highest award given nationally by the Lutheran Church. The award was given for her many years of service to youth through the Girl Scouts and the Church. For the last several years, Betty was a devoted member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora.Betty was a member of the Women of the Moose, Aurora Lodge #400 for 73 years, joining in 1944. She became a Life Member in 1994.She was Treasurer of the Waterford Home Owners’ Association since 2005.

Betty also loved to travel, including many trips to California and voyaging on 38 cruises around the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Panama Canal, and Mediterranean. She delighted in playing cards and cooking, especially for large crowds and family gatherings, and she loved to cross-stitch and has many creations displayed in family members’ and friends’ homes. Most of all, Betty deeply loved and took great pride in her children and grandchildren, often sharing stories of their successes and always encouraging them in their endeavors.  Betty also had too many friends to count, young and old, many of whom provided great comfort to her in her final days, and all of whom are remembered fondly.

Betty is survived by her husband of 70 years, Ross Miller, of Sugar Grove; her children Deborah (Ken) White of Bristol and Larry (Tracey) Miller of Foothill Ranch, California; three “perfect angel” grandchildren: Kristin Good of Crystal Lake, Liam Miller, and Eve Miller, both of Foothill Ranch, California; sister-in-laws Ruth Beckner of Bartlett and Marion (Carl) Beckner of Aurora; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and favorite former grandson-in-law, Nathan Good of Cary. Betty was grateful to have wonderful neighbors Bob and Cheryl Airhart, and Ed and Pat Sweeney.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace Hord, brother Edward Trierweiler, sister-in-laws Alma Trierweiler, Helen Lamb, Carol Miller, and Emma Thomas, and brother-in-laws Walter Hord, Cleo Lamb, Raymond Thomas, and Earl Beckner.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, IL, 60538. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 27 S. Edgelawn Dr., Aurora, IL, 60506. Cremation and private interment at Lincoln Memorial Park to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or Angels Grace Hospice, 747 E. Boughton Rd, Ste 152, Bolingbrook, IL, 60440.  Betty’s family would like to thank all of her caregivers at Angels Grace Hospice, two-legged and four-legged alike.  www.dieterlelmemorialhome.com  630-897-196.