-Mary Louise (Lawton) Miller 1918 - 2009

LAWTON, MILLER, BENDINGER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/22/2020 at 14:33:50

Sioux City Journal
19 May 2009

Mary L Miller

SOUTH SIOUX CITY -( Buried Sioux City) Mary Louise (Lawton) Miller, 90, of Kingwood, Texas, formerly of South Sioux City, went to be with her heavenly father Friday, May 15, 2009, in Kingwood.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel.

Mary Louise was born June 16, 1918, in Sioux City, to Lena (Bendinger) Lawton and Darl S. Lawton. She attended school in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Central Electric, The Telephone Company and Cudahy Packing Plant.

She married George Miller on Nov. 15, 1942, just before George left for active duty in World War II. They were married on a Sunday afternoon at First Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, where she is still a member.

She was the true example of devotion as she cared for her husband, George, after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and given a discharge from the U.S. Army, because of this little known disability in 1943. She never faltered in her commitment to her vows "in sickness and in health" and her selfless love allowed George to remain at home in her complete care until his death in 1986. Her legacy to all who survive her is her lifelong example of true devotion and sacrifice.

She enjoyed water color painting and her delicate flowers were just another expression of her gentle spirit. For many years, First Lutheran Church took advantage of her dependable strength as she held the job of calling on members for the weekly Scripture reading. She was greatly missed when she had to relocate to Texas in 2008, because of her health so she could be by Sandy and her family. The move was difficult leaving her home of 54 years, but in Texas she was able to spend time with her family and see her great-grandson, Miller and feel how much she was loved.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandy, and her husband, Jack DeLorenzo; her grandsons, Michael DeLorenzo and Matthew DeLorenzo and his wife, Dana; her great-grandson and namesake, Miller; her brother, Jack Lawton and his wife, Laura; her sister, Darlene Petitjean; her sister-in-law, Barbara Dealy; many caring nieces, Katy, Bridget, Lynn, Junie and Lee; and nephew, Larry and their families; and a cousin, Betty Langford.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, George.

Pallbearers will be Ray Casey, Dr. Guy Posey, Pat Brady, Rick Casey, Brian Leiting and Brett Casey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Knudsen, Ryan Brady and Larry Lawton.

Mary and George loved to dance and though this pleasure was denied them by earthly bonds, they have been reunited in a glorious ballroom filled with stars and a celestial orchestra