Betty Miller, age 98 of Emmetsburg, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Parc Hall in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 29, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Burial took place at St. John's Cemetery in Emmetsburg. Visitation was 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, July 28, at Martin Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg with a rosary that began at 4:45 PM. Services were entrusted to Martin Mattice Funeral Home.
Betty Ann Miller, the daughter of Charles Albert and Mary Ann (Halstead) Blighton, was born on March 5, 1928 in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. The family moved to Emmetsburg, where she attended Emmetsburg Community Schools. Betty was united in marriage to Eugene “Gene” Miller on September 7, 1946, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. They were blessed with 71 years of marriage (and dancing). Together they raised five children, teaching them values and passing on their strong faith by their examples. Betty was happiest with a home full of children, her own and their friends. Just don’t run through her strawberry bed. She enjoyed cooking and baking for others. Many people were blessed as she generously shared her loaves of homemade bread, jam, and cinnamon rolls. She loved tending to her flower garden, listening to music, and often singing along.
After her family was raised, Betty worked with special needs clients at Horizon’s Unlimited. She had a big heart and kind words of encouragement for all. Many clients still remember Mrs. Miller.
Betty was very independent, sometimes stubborn, forgiving, and humble. She preferred helping others behind the scenes.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Miller; parents, Charles and Mary Ann; infant son, Larry Gene Miller; and her siblings and their spouses, Thelma Nelson(Clarence), Glendora(Dode) Kerns(Derwood), Clarence Blighton(Arlene), Ernst(Stub) Blighton (Florence), Dorothy Reinders (Fred).
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Barbara Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mary Ann Osborn (Sam) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tom Miller (Vickie) of Spencer, Iowa, Helen Grage (Rolland) of Perry, Iowa and Ann Leymaster (Mike) of Walford, Iowa; three grandchildren, Rachel Palermo (Mike), Sarah Taylor (Jake) and William Grage; four great grandchildren, Emily and Abigail Palermo, and Sam and Matt Taylor; as well as many other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of PARC Hall for their wonderful care of Betty, and also wish to thank Judy Bauer and Carol Dupic for their kind support of Betty over the years.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that any memorials be sent to the Emmetsburg Catholic School or PARC Hall.
