CLARA MILLER

CLARA MILLER 1927 – 2024

Clara Miller of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Valentine Miller, passed away very peacefully on August 19, 2024 at the wonderful age of 96 years. Mom was born on October 10, 1927 in Blumenfeld, Saskatchewan to loving parents, Nicolaus and Margaret (Materi) Leismeister. Her early years were spent on the family farm just outside of Prelate, Saskatchewan. Mom was the fourth in line out of a family of eleven. Mom left school early as she was needed at home. When some of her younger siblings were old enough to take care of the even younger ones, Mom went to work for other farming families to help them with their children and with cooking and cleaning. She then moved to Medicine Hat to work in the restaurant field as a waitress. There was one more stint at home to help out and then in 1952 Mom and her girlfriend moved to Calgary. While Mom and Dad knew each other as teenagers, Dad had moved away to seek his fame and fortune. God had plans for them for sure. Dad moved to Calgary that same year and it didn’t take long for God to reunite them. From that point on, they were inseparable until Dad’s passing in 2011. Mom and Dad moved back to Medicine Hat and were married on February 2, 1953 at St. Patrick’s Church. Two years later they moved to Vauxhall, AB. where Dad started his career in the gravel pit industry and Mom became a stay at home mom. This is where all four of us children were raised. Mom was a member of the CWL in Vauxhall and helped out with the Parents Home and School Committee. Her homemade apple pies, butter tarts, buns and roast beef dinners were legendary. In 1987, Mom and Dad retired back to Medicine Hat. Their first retirement years were spent visiting and playing cards with relatives and old friends, having coffee at the Mall, camping trips in their motorhome, some travelling and many, many visits with family. When Dad’s health began to decline, they gave up camping and travelling and stayed closer to home. Mom took care of Dad right up to his passing and then a year later she moved into the Wellington Retirement Residence to begin a new chapter of her life. Our shy, quiet Mother became more outgoing and enjoyed many of the activities the Wellington had to offer. Mom resided here until her passing. The Wellington staff, each and every one of them, were truly an extension of our family and we are forever grateful for their kind and caring hands that helped Mom every day for the past eleven and a half years. They were a blessing from God for Mom and for all of us. We thank-you from the bottom of our hearts. In addition, we also wish to thank the entire Alberta Health Care System. The doctors, nurses, specialists, administrative staff and hospitals to name a few have always given our Mother excellent care. Leaving to cherish our Mother’s beautiful memory are her four children,  LaWanda (Donald) Skretting of Lethbridge, Janice (Dale) Maddaford and Corinne Sisson of Medicine Hat and Lyle Miller of Vauxhall, seven grandchildren, Donny (Lindsay Ment) Skretting, Dwayne (Coralee) Skretting, Wendi Skretting, Deena (Dennis) Magtoto, Jennifer (Jamie) Bleau, Damon (Kenzie) Miller and Zackary Miller,  twelve great grandchildren, Jayce Zielke, Kaden Ment and Nash Ment, Shelby Skretting, Wyatt (Dakota) Skretting,  Owen (Rachel) Skretting, Brooklyn and Hayli Gudmundson, Ashton and Sayda Magtoto,  Jade and Taliyah Bleau and two great- great grandchildren, Fern and Sage Skretting. She also leaves to cherish her memory her brother, John (Joan) Lesmeister, her sister, Frances Bell, her sister, Teresa Trevison and her sister-in-laws, Rose Lesmeister and Mildred Lesmeister as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Dad’s family, Leonard Miller, Lena Eresman, Susan (George) Costea and Violet Miller. Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband, Valentine Miller, Parents Nicolaus and Margaret (Materi) Leismeister, brothers, Leonard, Joe, Peter, Tony, Nicky and Eddie and her sister, Magdalena Nelson together with several brothers and sisters in law. Mom had an abundance of grace and was truly a joy to be with. She was a woman of great and unwavering faith. She loved her Lord and knew she was always in His hands. Mom will be forever missed by her family and friends. We love you to the moon and back! You were the best Mom and Grandma ever! Those who wish to pay their respects may do so one hour prior to the prayer service and one hour prior to the funeral mass.  Family and friends will gather for prayers in the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Sunday evening, August 25^th at 7:00 p.m. *Please note funeral time change* A eulogy will be given beginning at 10:50 a.m. with the funeral mass following at HOLY FAMILY PARISH (1451 Strachan Road SE), Monday, August 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., Fr. Iqbal Khurshid celebrant.  The prayer service and funeral mass will be live streamed.  Please visit Clara’s obituary page on our website for the respective links.  Interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery.  Donations in memory of Clara may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, #101, 1201 Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Y2.  To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.

PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2