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Mildred Miller
MILDRED ELIZABETH MILLER
North English
Mildred Elizabeth Miller, of North English, died Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo.
Mildred was born near Millersburg, Iowa, on March 30, 1922, the youngest child of Erwin and Ada (Pope) Lortz. She graduated as valedictorian from Millersburg High School in 1939 where she participated in kittenball, basketball, glee club, band, declamatory and class plays, and was a class officer. She attended William Penn College for one year and graduated from Cedar Rapids Business College in 1942.
Mildred married Robert Plank Sr. in 1943 in Denison, Texas. Robert died while training for the Air Corps in 1944. She married Leelyn D. Miller in 1947. They made their home in North English. Leelyn preceded her in death in 2012. Mildred was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church where she played piano for many years. She was secretary of the North English School Board for 13 years and later worked for Evans Photography as a photographer and bookkeeper for 30 years. Mildred enjoyed keeping an immaculate house, knitting, cross-stitch, sewing, travel, crossword puzzles and the Chicago Cubs. She loved caring for plants and flowers both inside and out. Mildred was patient enough for countless hours of Monopoly, Chinese checkers and dominoes with her grandsons.
Mildred is survived by her son, Gary L. (Janie) Miller and daughter-in-law, Vickie Plank, all of North English; grandsons, Matt (Katie) Miller and Andrew (Laura) Miller of North Liberty and Frosty (Deanna) Plank of Benton Harbor, Mich.; great-granddaughter, Adeline Elizabeth Miller; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Cameron Heitshusen of Williamsburg and Georgeanna Heitshusen of East Lansing, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two brothers, Russell and Charles E. Lortz; her son, Robert Plank Jr.; and a grandson, Mickey Plank.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018, at Powell Funeral Home in North English. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be directed to the English Valleys Citizens Scholarship Fund or to Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
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