Erna Machan Miller

MILLER, SPERA, MACHANROSS, MORRIS

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 2/9/2010 at 10:42:30

Source: Louisa County Historical Society

Erna Machan Miller, 93, of Columbus Junction, died at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City on Saturday, April 27, 1996.

Services for Erna Miller was Tuesday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. at Stacy-Lewis Funeral Home in Columbus Junction. Rev. Walden Paige officiated the services. Visitation was Monday from 3 - 8 at the funeral home with the entire family present from 6 - 8. A memorial has been established at the funeral home. Burial was in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, IA. Pallbearers were Tim Tedrick, Mark Miller, Mike Miller, Daryl Anderson, David Anderson, Mike Bickford, and Tim Mooney.

Erna Machan Spera was born February 1, 1903 in Decatur, Illinois the daughter of William Henry and Ethel Mayflower Machan Spera. She married Roy Lloyd Miller on March 5, 1924 in Washington, IA. Erna and her husband moved to rural Columbus Junction in 1941 and prior to that had lived in Washington, IA. Erna was vey active in community organizations, belonging to The Rebeka Lodge (in which she received the 50 year pin), Union Circle, Hobby Club, Friendly Neighbor Club, The Senior Citizens Club, and the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. Erna had also been a 4-H Leader for the Jolly Union Girls. Erna was well known for the doll clothes she made, and the many anniversary and wedding cakes she baked.

Survivors include her children, 2 sons, Norman Roy Miller of Davenport, IA and Mervin Lynn Miller and his wife Mary (Lemley) Miller of Winnebago, IL; and one daughter, Eleanora "Betsy" Ross of Coralville, IA. There are 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Charles Morris, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harry and Genevieve Miller, all of Washington, IA.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on May 18, 1982, 2 brother, Kermit and Robert Spera, and 2 sisters, Wilma Spera and Edith Morris.