The following was written by Audrey Miller

Isabel Caroline Weihs Miller

Isabel Weihs Miller was born March 13, 1906 in Lincoln Township near Westphalia, Ia. to Joe & Theresa Schiltz Weihs.  She joined 5 brothers and 5 sisters plus 1 baby who died in childbirth.  She lived on the farm till her parents sold it and moved to Defiance, Ia.  From going to a “country school” she was enrolled in the Town school which was the Catholic Church as well.  The building was used as a school during the week and a Church on Sundays.  She went thru the 8^th grade.  She wanted to go on to High School but  the school was a “Public” school and her father would not allow her to attend a “Public” school.  Besides quote “girls don’t need to further their education. They are to help at home as needed.”   Unquote.

Isabel was kept busy helping her older brothers and sisters when they all had babies.  Isabel met Frank Miller at a dance and was courted 3 ˝ years before getting married April 9, 1929 in Defiance at age 23.  They moved to a rented farm at Buck Grove, Ia. 11 years later they bought a farm at Defiance, Ia. and moved there where they lived till they moved to town in 1985.

To this union, 8 children were born:

Donald
Norma
Vernon
Eugene
Marvin
Duane
Larry
Mary

Isabel was an excellent cook.  It was noted that she could make a dinner on a moments notice with nothing in the house.  No one ever went away from her house hungry.  According to her niece, Marie Gubbels, she was always cooking or baking over a hot wood-burning stove.  Threshers would look forward to “threshing days at the Millers” because of Isabels cooking.

Isabel always had a huge garden from which she would “can”.  She also loved flowers and had a continuous display of flowers during the summer months.  During the winter she was kept busy crocheting, tatting or sewing.  She always had a pot of coffee ready for visitors and a deck of cards handy for “anyone who was interested in a quick game or two”.

Isabel suffered a stroke in 1985 which slowed her down.  She required a house-keeper with her.  She still enjoyed a game of cards.  After Frank suffered a stroke in 1986 and had to enter Little Flower Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa, Isabel made daily trips to see him.  She only missed days when she was sick or if the weather was bad.  Frank died May 30, 1987.

Isabel enjoyed her new house-keeper Molly and taught her how to “cook & play cards.”  She enjoyed week-ends with her children who took turns staying with her.  She especially enjoyed going out to eat and having a piece of pie.

Isabel died suddenly May 10, 1988 in Mytue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa of viral pneumonia.  She was 82 years, 1 month, and 7 days.

Frank Miller was born Nov. 14, 1901 to John Peter Miller and Anna Goeres Miller on a farm near Defiance, Iowa.  He was the 4^th of 7 children.  He had 4 brothers and 2 sisters.  Frank was 13 years old when his mother died from a blood clot after Gall-bladder Surgery.  His Grand-father Michael also died the same year.  With his mother gone and his sisters married, the cooking and the cleaning of the house-hold became Frank’s job.  His brother Joe commented that his brothers were always envious of him because his clothes and person were always neat & clean and people would comment about it.  “We always grumbled that he had the easy job.”  As he got older he did also help in the fields.

He met Isabel Weihs at a local dance and courted her for 3 ˝ years before getting married April 9, 1929.  They were the fourth couple to get married in the new St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa.  They rented a farm in Buck Grove, Iowa for 11 years.  They then moved to a farm 2 miles south-east of Defiance.  They rented the farm for $5.00 an acre for a couple years and then bought it for $77.00 an acre.  Later on they purchased another 80 acres to make their proud ownership of 200 acres.  He also rented a pasture from Leo Reisenberg for some cattle he was raising.  Frank raised cattle & hogs besides farming.

Isabel & Frank had 8 children:

Donald
Norma
Vernon
Eugene
Marvin
Duane
Larry
Mary

After Frank & Isabel retired, they continued to live on the farm while son, Larry, farmed the land.  They enjoyed watching birds and wild-life around the farm.  It wasn’t unusual for deer to come close to the farm hunting for food.  One day a couple deer came into the yard by the fuel tank hunting for food.  One year they enjoyed watching a pair of great-horned owls make a nest and hatch their babies in a tree outside their picture window.

Frank & Isabel were avid card players.  If any of the children came by for a visit… it wasn’t long before they were involved in a hot game of “pitch.”  Frank was known for his “sweet-tooth” and was known for his comment…”This little bit won’t hurt”, much to Isabel’s objections.

Frank suffered a stroke in March, 1986 and after hospitalization, had to enter Little Flower Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa where he resided till his death May 30, 1987.  He was 86 years, 5 months, and 13 days old.

Isabel lived in town with a live-in housekeeper & companion until she died May 10, 1988 at age of 82 years, 2 months, and 3 days.

LAND TRANSACTIONS of the Frank Miller Family Farm

• May 18, 1856,… State of Iowa sold 120 acres to Mississippi Railroad

• 1916 Mississippi Railroad sold 120 acres to George & Mary Steinberg.

• Sept. 14, 1928, George & Mary Steinberg sold 120 acres to John Schnuettgen.

• Aug. 18, 1942, John Schnuettgen sold 120 acres to Frank Miller for $77/acre.

• 80 Acres … Feb. 23, 1949, Bernard & Gertrude Pauley sold 80 acres to Frank Miller for $200/acre.

• Sept. 10, 1990, Estate of Frank & Isabel Miller sold by auction all 120 acres to Russ Morfield of Omaha, NE, for $1,020/acre.

• Miller Farm new owner March, 1991… Russ Morfield.

ISABEL MILLER

Isabel Caroline Miller, the daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Schiltz) Weihs was born on a farm near Westphalia, Iowa, on March 13, 1906.  She died at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital, Harlan, Iowa, on May 10, 1988, having attained the age of 82 years, one month, and seven days.

She was baptized, received her first communion, and was confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia.  She attended country school near Westphalia, and at the age of 11 years, moved with her family to Defiance.

On April 9, 1929, Isabel was united in marriage to Frank Miller at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance.  Eight children were born to this union.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller farmed near Buck Grove for nine years before moving to a farm near Defiance.  After the death of Frank on May 30, 1987, Isabel continued to make her home in Defiance.

She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, St. Peter’s Alter Society, and Silver Tops Senior Citizens in Defiance.

In addition to her parents and husband, Isabel was preceded in death by four brothers, Frank, George, Tony, and Joe; and four sisters, Anna, Mamie, Emma, and Clara.

She is survived by six sons, Don of Defiance; Vernon of Irwin, Iowa; Eugene of Ralston, Nebraska; Marvin of Harlan; Duane of Denison, Iowa; and Larry of Defiance; two daughters, Norma (Mrs. Tony) Bueltel of Omaha, Nebraska; and Mary Carol (Mrs. Joe) Gross of Donahue, Iowa; 32 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Newspaper:  ???

Frank Miller, 85

DEFIANCE - Services for Frank J. Miller were held Tuesday morning (June 2) at St. Peter’s Catholic church in Defiance.  Burial was in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Defiance.

Miller, 85, died Sat., May 30, 1987, at Little Flower Haven nursing home in Earling, where he had resided since March, 1986.  He was a former Defiance area resident.

Surviving are his wife, Isabel, of Defiance, six sons - Don of Defiance, Vernon of Irwin, Eugene of Ralston, NE., Marvin of Harlan, Duane of Denison, and Larry of Defiance; two daughters - Norma (Mrs. Tony) Bueltel of Omaha, NE., and Mary Carol (Mrs. Joe) Gross of Donahue, Ia.; 27 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers - Peter of Lohrville, Ia., Lawrence of Long Beach, CA., and Joe of Defiance; and two sisters - Elizabeth McCord of Denison, and Kate (Mrs. Walt) Mueller of Harlan.

A wake service was held Monday evening at Pauley Funeral Home in Harlan.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller, Defiance couple to celebrate 50^th anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller of Defiance will celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary, Sunday, April 1.

An anniversary Mass will be celebrated at 1p.m. at St. Peter’s church in Defiance, followed by an open house from 2-4 p.m.  All relatives and friends are invited to attend.  The couple requests no gifts.

The Millers were married April 9, 1929 at St. Peter’s church in Defiance.

Their children are:  Don of Defiance, Mrs. Tony (Norma) Bueltel of Omaha, Vern of Defiance, Gene of Omaha, Marvin of Harlan, Duane of Denison, Larry of Defiance, and Mrs. Joe (Mary) Gross of rural Donahue.  They also have 32 grandchildren.

50 Years of Love, Work and Thanks

Frank & Isabel met at a dance after courting three and one-half years decided to tie the knot on April 9, 1929. They were the fourth couple to be married in the new St. Peter's Church in Defiance, Iowa.  Joe Miller and Clara Gubbels were their attendants.

After a honeymoon to Omaha (complicated by getting their Model T Roadster stuck in the mud on their wedding night), they settled down on a rented farm a few miles from Buck Grove, Iowa, a little area referred to fondly as "Pretty  Prairie".

On April 25, 1930, their first son was born. He was named Donald. Don married Alice Freund from Earling, Iowa. Don works for the railroad. Don & Alice have two sons and two daughters  Keith, Cheryl, Craig and Lori. All of Don & Alice's children are still in school.

On February 24, 1932, their first daughter was born. She was named Norma. Norma married Tony Bueltel from Dedham, Iowa. Tony is an estimator at B. G. Peterson Com­pany in Omaha. Norma is employed as a secretary at Metropolitan Technical Community College, Fort Omaha Campus. Tony and Norma have five Children, four sons and one daughter. Randy (married Donna O'Dell of Omaha) are expecting their first child (which will be Frank and Isabel's first great grandchild) Gary, Terry, Brian and Lisa.

On March 7, 1934. Vernon was born, Vern married Mary Eckermann from Defiance, Iowa. Vern and Mary own and operate Miller Oil Company. They have six children, three sons and three daughters- Mike, Julie, Rick, Joan, Jean and Ron.

On November 17, 1935, Gene arrived. Gene married Audrey Heithoff from Elgin, Nebraska. Gene works at Continental Can in Omaha and Audrey is a nurse. Gene and Audrey have four children, two daughters and two sons -Cindy, Jeff, Joe, and Suzanne; all at home.

On August 13, 1937, Marvin arrived. Mark married Pat Griffin from Harlan, Iowa. Mark works for Wilson Hybrid in Harlan. Mark and Pat have four children - Jana, Scott, Joelle and Jill, all at home.

Despite the hard times of the Great Depression, Frank and Isabel decided to go out on their own. On February 24, 1938, they moved to a 120 acre farm about two miles south-east of Defiance, another 80 acres was purchased later.

On October 24, 1939, Duane appeared. Dee married Sue Beymer from Denison, Iowa. Dee works for Iowa Beef in Denison. Dee and Sue have three children - Matt, Jason and Melissa.

On March 20, 1942, Larry appeared. Larry married Ann Reeder from Dunlap, Iowa. Larry farms the homestead. Larry and Ann have three sons Tom, Gary and Andy.

On January 20, 1947, Frank and Isabel were blessed with their second daughter, they named her Mary. Mary married Joe Gross from Westphalia, Iowa. Joe and Mary now live in Davenport, Iowa. Joe teaches school in Davenport and Mary is a secretary. Joe and Mary have two daughters - Maria and Laura.

We enjoyed writing this, to be able to share this with you. We wish many more happy years together for our Mom and Dad.

Thanks for the gifts and well wishing, but most of all, thanks for coming and sharing this "Special Day".

FRANK and ISABEL