Marla Miller Obituary

Funeral services for Marla Miller, of Hancock, Minnesota, will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Hancock with Reverend Heather E. Klason officiating.  A visitation will be on Wednesday, December 6, from 4-7:00 p.m. with a public time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.  

Marla Ann Miller was born on July 20, 1970, in Hettinger, North Dakota, to parents Daryl and Sandy (Dix) Johnson.  Marla and her twin sister, Carla, were born premature and were baptized at the hospital.  She lived with her family in Lemmon, South Dakota, for a few years until they bought a farm and moved to McIntosh, Minnesota.  Marla grew up on the family farm, was confirmed at Mt. Carmel Free Lutheran Church and graduated from Win-E-Mac High School in 1989.  After high school, Marla spent the summer in Brazil on an AFLC Team Mission trip and then attended Lutheran Brethren Bible College in Fergus Falls, graduating with a certificate in Biblical Studies in 1990.  She began her pre-nursing studies, and it was at this time that she met Julius Miller, while he was attending Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls.  They were married on June 12, 1993, and began their married lives in Federal Way, Washington, where Julius served as Pastor at Living Word Lutheran Brethren Church.  In 1997, Marla graduated from Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington, as an LPN.  In 1999, they moved to Hancock, Minnesota, where Julius has served as Pastor of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.  Marla went on to become an RN, attaining her BSN Degree from Minnesota State University in Moorhead.  In her working career, Marla worked in pediatrics, long-term care, public health, school nurse, and was doing Quality Improvement Grant work with St. Francis Health Services of Morris when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Rectal Cancer in April of 2022.

Marla was an active member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, serving with the women’s circle, the library committee, and teaching Sunday school and VBS.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, a talent that has been passed down to her daughter, Nadine.  She was always willing to play a game with her family, but she was very competitive, no matter what they were playing – cards, trivia, or games – she loved to win! In her earlier years, Marla was involved in 4-H; she loved animals and growing up on the farm.  She loved nature, taking in the beautiful landscapes of local trails, the Badlands, and others near and far.  She cherished their road trips to see family in some capacity and the fun that they had along the way, including in: Washington, California, South Dakota, and New York City. 

Most importantly, Marla wanted it known that her greatest joy in life was that of being a mother to Justin and Nadine. She was their biggest supporter.  Marla lived her life caring for others, her vocation in Nursing was her calling and a way to be an advocate for everyone that she had the pleasure of knowing over the years. 

Marla wanted it known that she felt there was so much more she had left to do and that cancer took that away from her.  As a very young child, Marla came to faith trusting the Lord and continued to trust in the forgiveness and redemptive power of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus; and although her life was cut short due to cancer, she left entrusting her loved ones and herself to Jesus, and looked forward to healing and heaven. 

Marla went home to her Savior on Sunday, December 3, 2023. She was 53 years old.  Marla was a wife, mom, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, aunt, niece, friend, and patient advocate, and will be deeply missed by those who knew her. 

Marla is survived by her husband, Julius of Hancock; son, Justin (Brooke) Miller of Hancock; daughter, Nadine Miller of Hancock; father, Daryl Johnson of McIntosh; mother, Sandy Johnson of Fergus Falls; twin sister, Carla (Scot) Rownd of Fergus Falls; brother, Ryan (Becky) Johnson of McIntosh; sisters-in-law: Vera (Karl) Johnson of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Marilyn Newby of Pune, India; niece and nephews: Chris (Jayde) Kunz, Natasha Salsbery, Cody Johnson, and Austin Johnson.  She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Marla is preceded in death by her dear friend and Julius’ aunt, Pamela Smith; mother-in-law, Iris Miller; brother-in-law, Russel Newby; maternal grandparents: Burkie and Jeanette Dix; and paternal grandparents: Henry and Eva Johnson. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be donated to local charities in Marla's name.  

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Marla.