Veronica S. Miller

Veronica S. Miller, 70 of Albion, NE, passed away Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Bryan Medical Center – East Campus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2024,at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, NE with Fr. Matt Gutowski officiating. Inurnment will take place Friday afternoon at St. Michael's Cemetery in Spalding, NE. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Veronica Sue Miller, daughter of Edward Francis and Marian Lee (Rousey) Walters was born in Alliance, NE on May 19, 1954. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bridgette's Catholic Church in Hemingford, NE. She began her elementary education at District 57 south of Hemingford, NE, kindergarten through part of the second grade, then District 92 near Marsland through the eighth grade. She attended Hemingford High School and graduated with the class of 1972. She went on to study at Chadron State College where she received her bachelor's degree in history education. Following graduation, she taught at rural country schools in Box Butte County in western Nebraska.

​On March 18, 1978, Veronica married Charles M. Miller at St. Bridgette's Catholic Church in Hemingford, NE. In the years to follow, the couple were blessed with five children: Casey, Maggie, Katie, Becky, and Shelley. They lived on the Miller Family Farm and later the "brown house," both south of Crawford, NE. Along with raising children she taught at country schools near Belmont and Glenn, NE. In 1990, the family moved to Bayard, NE. Veronica had a passion for education. She started a position teaching at the Head Start program in Bridgeport, NE, also served as the director for the center. She spent many years serving in various capacities for Head Start, including through Panhandle Community Services working as the regional supervisor, monitoring area centers, and as a Child Development Specialist. She worked for High Scope developing curriculum for early childhood education and also worked for the National Head Start Association as the Region VII representative. In addition, she taught GED classes to area residents seeking to earn their diplomas. They moved to a home south of Lake Minatare and Veronica took a position with Western Nebraska Community College as a Transfer Advisor, working there until she needed to take medical retirement in 2009, as she was receiving cancer treatments.

​In addition to her career, she also spent years educating children in other areas of interest. She was the founder of the Western Valley 4-H Club and served as the leader of the group. Her faith was especially important to her. She served her parish as a Eucharistic Minister and as a Cantor. She combined her passions of education and faith through teaching confirmation classes for years at Bayard and Bridgeport.

​She enjoyed gardening and canning produce, baking, and making jellies and jams, all of which she regularly entered in the county fair open class, resulting in a multitude of ribbons. She sewed outfits for her children and shirts for her husband. She enjoyed raising chickens, goats, rabbits, and occasionally a random bucket calf. In more recent years, her favorite pastime has been spending time with her grandchildren and following their activities.

​Veronica is survived by her husband Chuck of Albion, NE; five children: Casey (Renee) Miller of Gering, NE; Maggie (Rob) Smith of Albion/Spalding, NE; Katie Miller of Omaha, NE; Becky (Jonathan) Andre of Paxton, NE; Shelley (Dan) Ruterbories of Ord, NE; nine grandchildren: Jacob, Luke, Pearl, and Stella Smith; Owen and Charlie Andre; Norah Lee, Mira, and Hanna Ruterbories; four siblings: Don (Phyllis) Walters of Dakota Dunes, SD; MaryAnn (Dennis) Cahill of Battle Mountain, NV; Tom (Geneice) Walters of Marsland, NE; Dorothy (Bill) Clark of Pharr, TX/Spalding, NE; sister-in-law MaryAnn Walters of Gordon, NE; along with many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

​She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Mike Walters, Bill (Suzy) Walters and Jim Walters; and one nephew Jeramy Walters.