Elyse M. Miller (1986-2003)

MILLER

Posted By: Padriag (email)
Date: 3/8/2008 at 10:14:19

In Memory: Elyse Margaret Miller

Elyse Miller, 16, of Persia, died Tuesday, February 4 in a traffic accident on Highway 191 just north of Neola.

Elyse Margaret Miller was born in Council Bluffs on November 13, 1986, the daughter of Gale "Chub" and Denise (Lett) Miller.

She was baptized at the Glendale Presbyterian Church in Council Bluffs, attended St. Joseph's preschool at Neola and was a sophomore at Tri-Center Community Schools in Neola at the time of her death.

At Tri-Center, she participated in track, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and drill team.

Elyse suited varsity in volleyball last fall and was playing on a USA Volleyball team this winter.

Her volleyball coach, Brian Wedemeyer, said, "What Elyse lacked in size she was only 5'2" tall-she more than made up for in effort and desire. Elyse had a very positive effect on everyone. She was well-liked and she was a positive influence in practice and games. Elyse's desire to be a great volleyball player is one of the things I liked about her: she didn't let being 5'2 scare her away from playing volleyball."

The coach added, "We are all going to miss her and I hope we can all learn and take something from Elyse's example: live your life to the fullest and don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams."

Elyse was a Gold Honor Roll student who also performed with the high school marching band as a member of the Satin Knights flag corps and assisted as a teacher's aide in Mrs. Schwery's first grade class. She played the keyboard for the high school show choir, sang in the concert choir and had played the flute in the junior high band.

Tri-Center vocal music director Aria Clausen commented, "Elyse Miller was like a ray of sunshine wherever she went. "She was my energized bunny, and I loved being around her."

Elyse's love of and talent for dancing offered her the opportunity to dance at the Iowa State Fair, as well as on a dance cruise to the Bahamas. She was also selected to attend the Iowa Western Community College Leadership Camp as an eighth grader.

Many at Tri-Center joined teacher Dan Elliott in observing, "Elyse always had a smile on her face."

Elyse was a member of the Abundant Life Church in Harlan where she was active in the ALC Youth Group. She was a member of the Persia Satellites 4-H Club and participated on U.S. Volleyball and YMCA basketball teams in junior high.

She was employed as a newspaper carrier for the Omaha World Herald and the Council Bluffs Nonpareil since 1997, and as soon as she received her driver's license began working at Cyclone Lanes in Harlan.

Elyse was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Margaret Lett, and by a favorite uncle, James Zumwalt.

Survivors include her parents, Gale and Denise Miller, sister Kelsey and brothers Nathan and Ian, all of Persia; paternal grandparents, Verrow "Butch" and Lue Miller, Persia; aunts and uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation was held Friday afternoon and evening at Abundant Life Church in Harlan. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Tri-Center High School gymnasium, with the Rev. Michael Ploen officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jeff Erlmeier and John White.

Interment was in Valley View Cemetery at Persia, with the Tri-Center High School drill team, track team, volleyball team and Class of 2005 serving as honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers were Joey Kosmacek, Nick Davidson, Jared Winters, Justin Gessert, Jesta Thomas, Beth Harris and Alisha Gau.

Memorials may be given to the Elyse Miller Scholarship Fund.

Pauley Jones Funeral Home of Harlan was in charge of arrangements.

Gazette
February 13, 2003