Rose T. Miller, 91, Dickinson, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Rose’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant, and assisted by Deacon Ron Keller. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Rose Boespflug the daughter of Rochus and Monica (Gieser) Boespflug was born June 26, 1922 in Stark County. She grew up north of Taylor. Her dad died when she was six, and they moved to Richardton and then to Mandan. They then moved back to the family farm. The Miller family were neighbors a mile away, and she and Julius would walk back and forth to see each other. In 1940, they both went to Rochester, Minn., and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, and after a year there they returned back home.
Rose and Julius Miller were married on November 18, 1941 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Hirschville. Following their marriage they worked on various farms, eventually purchasing their own farm in Slope County. This is where they raised their 11 children. They remained on the farm until 1979 when they made Dickinson their home.
In 1977, she and Julius started singing German songs in public. They played at nursing homes, anniversaries, and sang with a German song group for various functions, and made records and CD’s with the Tibor Brothers. Her lifetime passion was raising flowers and a huge vegetable garden to feed her family. Many of the vegetables were entered as 4-H exhibits by her children.
She was an active member in the Altar Guild at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Amidon, and then at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She belonged to the Germans from Russia Heritage Society, taking part in many of their activities. She also belonged to the Eagle’s Club, St. Anthony Club, German-Hungarian Club, and the Dakota Western Auto Club.
Rose is survived by her husband of 72 years, Julius; their children, Helen Koppinger, Rosemary (John) Koenig, Richard Miller, Marcella Miller, Lorraine (Gerald) Frank, Stanley Miller, Melvin (Kim) Miller, Wayne (Karen) Miller, Patrick (Dion) Miller, and Douglas Miller; 30 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva Heilman; and half-brothers, Tim, Math, Francis, and Jim Kuhn. She was preceded in death by her son, Lauren; grandsons, Jesse and Lance; her parents; brothers, Joseph and Rochus; sisters, Monica Urbanec, Emma Messer, and Tillie Seaman; half-sister, Agnes Brown; and son-in-law, James Koppinger.
She will be remembered for her love of growing things inside and outside, her love of babies, and her strong Catholic faith. She faithfully said the Rosary everyday.
