Elizabeth Anne Miller

Northview~North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
(507) 388-2288

Elizabeth Miller, 86, a resident of Mankato, died on Wednesday, February 14, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center, Mankato, Minnesota.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2018 with visitation from12:00 pm – 1:00 pm at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato. A light lunch will be served after. Private family interment and chapel service will be held June 16 at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato.

Liz was born at home in Mankato, on the southeast corner of Dane Street and Rhine Street (now Madison Avenue). She was the daughter of Edward A. Van Thuyne and Clara Peryl (Stuve) (Van Thuyne) Skaggs.  She attended St. Peter and Paul’s elementary and Our Lady of Good Council Academy (1949).

While attending Mankato State Teachers College (Art and Home Economics) and employed at a small grocery store, Liz met her former husband Loren W. Miller. They married in 1951 and lived in the Mankato area until fall of 1958. At this time, they moved their growing family to Garretson, SD for twelve years. In 1970 they moved to Sleepy Eye where Liz became active with her children’s schools by volunteering in several organizations and teaching arts and crafts in SW Minnesota through a University of MN Extension program. Liz returned to the Mankato area after her divorce in 1980.

As a young mom, Liz specialized in children’s birthday cakes. Eventually this led to her skill with formal wedding and anniversary cakes. She was a great seamstress, tailoring clothes and dolls clothes for her four young daughters. She also taught them how to sew, knit, embroider and crochet. Gardening, especially flowers, was a special part of her life and she passed that love on to her children. She also enjoyed arranging flowers (fresh & silk) for others and family events. After retirement from Carlson Craft, she loved visiting her children and spending time babysitting grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving children: Tom (Donna) Miller, Litchfield; Mary Wooldrik, Lakeville; Teri Miller, Rochester; Barb Lauderback, Plover, Iowa; Jo Miller, Mankato; Gene Miller, Rochester; Paul Miller, Rochester; and Rich (Lisa) Miller, Rochester. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, sister Joane Batters, Little Falls, sister-in-law Pat Van Thuyne, Mankato and nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Edward A. Van Thuyne, Jr. and David E. Van Thuyne; son-in-law Steven Wooldrik and great granddaughter Noelle F. Buller.

The family thanks Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center for the care of their Mother, especially the aides and support staff.

Family prefers memorials be sent to: University of MN Foundation, Pediatric Oncology Research Fund [200 Oak St. SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010], in honor of her great granddaughter Milena Lauderback; Support Organization for Trisomy 18 (SOFT) [2982 South Union St., Rochester, NY 14624] in memory of Noelle Buller; University of MN Foundation, Immunotherapy Research Fund [200 Oak St. SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2010] in memory of Steve Wooldrik or the charity of your choice.

Family would appreciate remembrances, photos, and stories shared online at the Mankato Mortuary web page, http://www.mankatomortuary.com/Obituaries.