Phyllis Miller
Phyllis E. Miller was born May 7, 1931, to George and Mildred (Peterson) Peterson, in Lemmon, S.D.
She was married to Eugene J. Miller, son of Jacob and Margret Miller, Oct. 14, 1948. They ranched in Lemmon until 1950, when they moved to Black Hills Ordnance Depot at Igloo, S.D.
In 1965 the family moved to Northwood, N.D., and loved living there. Many residents of Northwood have stayed in contact with her through the years. In 1975 they moved to Edgemont, S.D., and purchased a ranch, and then made their final move to Custer, S.D.
Phyllis was employed at Flintstones for 17 years in the gift shop as an employee and later as the gift shop manager. She loved the social interaction and made many friends through her time at Flintstones. She was also a member of Custer Senior Center and participated in many of their activities.
In 2001 her husband Eugene died. They had been married 53 years. In 1996 she lost her oldest son, Joseph Miller. These where her biggest challenges in her lifetime. Phyllis’s focus throughout her lifetime was her family, siblings and friends.
She loved the Mountain Music Show in Custer and was honored with a jacket and free lifetime entrance pass to the show from Pee Wee Dennis. She loved music. Her other hobbies were bowling, attending the Central States Fair for many years, following Custer basketball games and she loved playing games and cards with family and friends.
Phyllis died March 19, 2020, at Monument Health Custer Hospital in Custer. She was a resident at Custer Regional Senior Care in Custer until her death. She was 88.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene J. Miller; son, Joseph Miller; sister, Evelyn (Robert) Rieger of Lemmon; brother, Al Peterson of Custer; and Gunn Peterson of Casper, Wyo.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Cheryl (John) of Las Vegas, Nev.; sons, Gerald (Stacey) Miller of Rapid City, S.D. and Robert (Annette) Miller of Custer; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Services are being delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic until a later date when it will be safe for family and friends to travel once again. At that time there will be a celebration of life in Custer.
An immediate family memorial only will be held at this time due to the coronavirus.
The family is asking you refrain from sending any flowers at this time to the family and the funeral home. Instead, Jenny’s Floral in Custer will compile a list of individuals who are interested in sending flowers for Phyllis’s “celebration of life,” which will take place in the near future.
She will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D., with her husband, Eugene, her son, Joseph Miller and brother, Al Peterson.