Elsie Ellen Miller

Elsie Ellen Miller, 71, passed away May 10, 2010, at her home in Meadow Lakes due to cancer. A memorial service was held May 15 at Manna Independent Baptist Church, 10151 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Palmer. Pastor Doug Ferrett officiated at the service.

Elsie was born March 6, 1939, in Akiak to Ben and Minnie (Kawagley) Brink. She was the youngest of 10 children.

On May 28, 1955, she married her Air Force sweetheart, Charles N. Miller Sr. In January 1956, Charles took his new bride to his home and family in Maryland, where they lived for seven years starting their own family. In 1963, they moved to Virginia where their youngest was born.

In August 1973 they returned to Alaska and have been residents of the Wasilla and Meadow Lakes area since.

Elsie was an avid rock hound, gardener, bird watcher and needle crafter.

“Mom’s greatest joy of all was her love for the Lord and her immediate and extended family. She took delight in studying and sharing Christ with all she met,” the family wrote. “Elsie was known as Mom, Nanny and Grandmother to all, with her big, loving smile, gentle hands and a hug people would line up for. If her parting has left a void, fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared by a laugh, a kiss and our Lord. Elsie would not want us to grieve for her, for now she’s free following the path God has laid for her.”

Elsie is survived by her husband, Charles N. Miller Sr. of Meadow Lakes; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Cindy Miller of Tok; daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and David Poppert of Wasilla; daughter, Linda Miller of Meadow Lakes; grandchildren, Jamie Fugate of Alaska, Christopher Poppert of Alaska, Melissa Clouse of Illinois, Chad Miller of Pennsylvania, Mike Poppert and Brittney Poppert of Alaska; great-granddaughters, Mya and Rayna of Illinois, Abbygayle, Elsie and Amelia, all of Alaska; sister, Ethel Oglesby of Arkansas; and brother, David Kawagley of Anchorage.

Memorial donations may be sent to Houston Bible Baptist Church/Donations in memory of Elsie, P.O. Box 94106, Houston, AK 99694 and all donations will go to the missionaries.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.