Barbara Ellen Miller was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Emmett and Anna (Helmuth) Swantz. She attended West Lincoln School. Barbara was united in marriage to Henry Eugene Miller on Oct. 24, 1954, at Fairview Mennonite Church. The couple served several years in 1-W doing milk testing before returning to Kalona.
Barbara was a member of Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church since 1959. She has been active in the church serving with Henry as trustee, Sunday school teacher and the WMSC. She enjoyed gardening, preserving, quilting, singing and working puzzles.
Barbara passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City at the age of 85.
She is survived by three children: Merle L. (Linda) Miller of Tiffin, Carrie (Ezra Glick) Miller of Kalona and Clair (April) Miller of Kalona; a son-in-law: Cecil Nissley of Washington; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law: Daniel Yoder of Kalona; and two sisters-in-law: Mattie Swantz of Kalona and Gretchen Swantz of Kalona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Henry; daughter: Audrey Nissley; three brothers: Wilson, Lewis and Jonas Swantz; and two sisters: Fannie and Amelia.
Celebration of life service was held Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church rural Kalona. Burial was at Fairview Mennonite Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church or Iowa City Hospice.
Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
