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Funeral services for Mary F. Hagemeister Miller, age 80, will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Crawford, NE with Fathers Arul Innaiah, Bernard Berger and Tim Stoner officiating.

Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Crawford, NE.

A wake will be at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 8, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Crawford.

A memorial has been established for the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Mary passed away on May 6, 2015 at her house in Crawford, NE. She was born on July 10, 1934 to Henry L. Hagemeister and Isabel R. (Richardson) Hagemeister in Lusk, WY. She grew up in Crawford, NE for most of her early years, and spent her freshman year of high school with her Uncle Frank and Aunt Georgia Hagemeister in Scottsbluff, NE. Mary was the oldest of eight children. She worked in the Crawford Bakery during her high school years and worked as a telephone operator after high school before she was married. Mary became the bride of her high school sweetheart Melvin Miller on May 29, 1953 and devoted the rest of her life to being his partner and loving wife. She had nine children of her own and helped raise her three youngest sisters after the death of her mother in 1964. Each summer, after the girls were out of school, Mary would welcome them into the Miller home and loved them as her own.

Mary was a very creative person, who taught herself to decorate cakes and took classes in creative sewing stitches. She had a servant's heart, and served the St John the Baptist Catholic Church in many areas, including Altar Society. She was always available to anyone who needed a helping hand and a compassionate ear.

While being a farmer’s wife and raising nine children, Mary would find time to raise a garden and chickens and serve neighbors during the branding season. She loved to go on picnics and attend the annual 4th of July parade and rodeo in Crawford.

Mary loved babies and was able to enjoy many happy family times with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by children Chuck (Veronica) Miller of Minatare, NE, Carolyn (Mike) Bell of Rapid City, SD, Roy (Wendy) Miller of Custer, SD, Tom (late wife Deb) Miller of Torrington, WY, Jim (Laurie) Miller of Fort Robinson, NE, Susan (Doug) Leeling of Crawford, NE, Valerie Miller of Crawford, NE, Laurie (Harold) Ponserella of Strasburg, CO, and Sandy (John) Orr of Rushville, NE; 24 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by husband Melvin, both parents, a brother, a daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.

Chamberlain Chapel of Crawford is in charge of arrangements for Mary F. Miller.