Miller, Mary A. (Jaeger) --- 1936-2006

BECKETT, JAEGER, MILLER, REINERT, HENRY, JACOBS, GENSEN

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2014 at 16:17:06

Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Sunday, August 6, 2006

Mary A. Miller

Mrs. John G. (Mary A.) Miller, Sr., 70, of Manor Care Health Services, formerly of Miller Riverview Park, died peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006 at Manor Care.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish wake service at 2 p.m., and the Women of the Moose will meet at 6 p.m.

She was born on Jan. 15, 1936, in Guttenberg, Iowa, daughter of Arnold and Annice (Beckett) Jaeger.

She married John G. "Ranger Jack" Miller on May 6, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubuque; he preceded her in death on May 22, 1993.

Ranger Jack and Mary, with the Dubuque County Conservation Society and the Dubuqueland Campers, founded Miller Riverview Park, which they then managed for more than 30 years. Mary's true home was Miller Riverview Park (Camp 17). From 1972 to 1976, they owned and operated Packy's Tap (a union establishment) on 16th Street. Mary also cooked at many popular local restaurants, including Lona's Tap, Silver Dollar, West Dubuque Tap and lastly at Demetri's.

Mary received the College of Regents Degree of the Women of the Moose Auxiliary, where she served as Senior Regent and also held many other posts.

Mary ran for City Council of Dubuque in 1988. She was the first woman president of the Dubuque County Conservation Society and was greatly involved with the city for the development of recreational and park improvements.

Through the years, Mary and Jack cared for 29 foster children. She was very devoted to her grandchildren and delighted in being with her family.

Surviving are a son, John G. (Martha) Miller, Jr. of Osceola, Iowa; 4 grandchildren, Beth Miller of Dubuque, Brian Miller of Carbondale, Ill., and Mercede Miller and Bronwyn Miller, both of Osceola; 2 sisters, Betty (Pete) Reinert, of Hazel Green, Wis. and June Henry, of Dubuque; a brother, Richard "Red" (friend, Mary Lee) Jaeger, of East Dubuque, Ill.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nieces; a sister-in-law, Judy (Richard) Jacobs, of Dubuque; and a brother-in-law, Leo (Mary Ann) Gansen, of Epworth, Iowa.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Shirley A. Gansen; and a brother, Arnold Jaeger, Jr.