Helene Miller
Age - 97
November 22, 2023
PIERRE, SD - Helene Z. Miller passed away on October 29, 2023, 11 days shy of her 98th birthday, in Fitchburg, WI. Helene, whose given name was Helena, was born on November 9, 1925, in Allentown, PA. She was the sixth and youngest child of Maciej (Mathew) and Wanda Jozefa (Josephine) Zaboj, immigrants from Poland. Helene's formative years were during the lean times of the Depression. In high school, Helene was involved with the chorus and the Commercial Club and enjoyed working on the side at her father's photography studio hand coloring black and white portraits. After graduating from Allentown High School in 1943, her life would forever change when she and her friends visited the Allentown airport to see the young naval cadets. It was there that she met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Miller. After just two dates, Robert was transferred but the two continued to keep in touch while he was stationed across the world in Hawaii, Guam, and Okinawa. Their courtship was fragmented by the war and correspondence was only by letters, including his marriage proposal. Helene and Bob married on June 8, 1946, at the Polish National Catholic Church in Bethlehem, PA when she was 20 years old. They were married until Bob's death in 2001. Immediately following their wedding, they drove to San Francisco where Bob was stationed. During a stop in Cleveland, they had all of their wedding gifts stolen, as well as her wedding dress. After Bob's discharge from the U. S. Navy, they moved back to PA where Helene worked as a secretary at Whiterock Quarries in Belfonte, followed by a job for AMOCO in Lemoyne, PA while Bob resumed his studies at Penn State. After Bob's graduation, they moved to Pierre, SD in 1950 after he was offered a job working for the State in the Department of Natural Resources. Helene also landed a job working for the State in the Department of School and Public Lands, where she worked in an office right next to then Governor Mickelson. Helene and Bob would welcome two sons, Robert Harlan Jr. in 1953 and Eugene Charles in 1956 and Helene became a stay-at-home mom. After the boys started school, Helene began working for the State in the Department of Public Instruction for the State Guidance and Counseling Secretary where she worked for seven years. In 1975, she began working at Pierre National Bank which became BankWest until her retirement at age 60. In Helene's mind, Pierre was a stopping-off point before moving to a more permanent destination but she ended up living in the same house on North Huron Avenue for 71 years. Mom told us frequently about remembering driving into Pierre for the first time and seeing the sign "Howdy folks! Pierre's just over the hill. " Over the ensuing years, Helene came to love the community of Pierre and she made many, many lifelong friends. Helene was a member of the UCC Congregational Church from 1950 until her death. Helene was involved in the Altar Guild for decades, but her true love and passion was singing in the choir that she joined in 1951 where she met some of her closest friends. Mom was always very proud that even at her advanced age she could still hit the high notes. In 1952, Helene joined a local Bridge Club and played Bridge with some of the same members for decades. The draw of playing Bridge was less the competition of the game and more so to socialize and laugh with her friends. In 1957, Mom felt very privileged to be asked to join PEO by her best friend Nancy Jahraus, where she was a member of the organization for 65 years. After her husband Bob died, Helene continued to live in her house alone for 20 years which was only made possible with the help of her amazing friends and neighbors. They helped her selflessly with work around the house, as well as buying and spreading the bird seed in her backyard. Over the years, Mom has expressed such admiration and gratitude to all who helped, especially the Erbe family, Jan Enright, David Riis, Pam Warriner, and the Heppers. Her independence at home would not have been possible without all involved and we thank you. Helene had a lifelong love of all animals, especially Miss Kitty II, and she loved feeding the birds and squirrels in her backyard sanctuary before her move to Wisconsin. In 2021, Helene moved to Fitchburg, WI to be closer to family and really enjoyed getting to see more of her grandkids, Helena and Jackson, whom she loved and adored. Mom loved to laugh, write cards and letters with beautiful calligraphy, watch Blue Bloods, and get together with her family for dinner to enjoy her trademark extra dry martini with two olives. (No vermouth!)At the age of 92, Helene had her "15 minutes of fame" after her personal trainer Elizabeth filmed a video of the two of them exercising while Helene laughs wildly throughout. The video was shared on social media only to go viral within less than a day, amassing over 10 million views in 24 hours. The video was retweeted by Kendall Jenner and ESPN, and Helene was named "Dancer of the Week" by the Radio City Rockettes. She was described as a "high" for the week on Sunday Today with Willie Geist. Mom had a blast with the brief period of notoriety, including receiving a standing ovation at her church and jokingly telling people to "get in line" to get her autograph. Even though her fame may have been fleeting, she will always remain a bright star in the lives of those who loved her. Helene is survived by her son, Robert "Bob H. " Miller Jr. of Rapid City, SD; son, Eugene "Gene" (Jeanne) Miller of Verona, WI; granddaughter, Helena of New York, NY; grandson, Jackson of Madison, WI; sister-in-law, Jean Miller in Bristol, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert; parents, Mathew and Wanda Josephine; brothers, Paul, Bronek, and Mathew, sisters Genevieve and Veronica, and all of their spouses. A Celebration of Life will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 123 N. Highland Ave. , Pierre, SD, at 2 p. m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023, followed immediately by a social Happy Hour(s) and appetizers at Drifters Bar and Grille, 325 Hustan Ave. , Fort Pierre, SD. Helene will be laid to rest next to her husband, Bob, at Black Hills National Cemetery, at 2:30 p. m. on Monday, December 18, 2023. We would like to thank all of her recent caregivers in the Madison, WI area including Dr. Tom Casper and clinic staff, Unity Point Meriter Hospital, Oakwood Rehab, Agrace HospiceCare, and the wonderful caregivers at The Waterford at Fitchburg. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to either: Paws Animal Rescue, In memoriam to: Helene Miller and Miss Kitty II, PO Box 954, Pierre, SD 57501 or PEO Chapter BJ, Treasurer Mary Beth Fravel, 610 Creager Ct. , Fort Pierre, SD 57532. Family and friends will surely miss: Helene's generosity, her infectious laugh, listening to her sing beautiful "Happy Birthday" renditions on your birthday, receiving one of her handwritten artistic cards with calligraphy, hearing her speak Polish phrases, the five sneezes at the conclusion of a great meal, her perpetual attempt to be organized, the wag of her index finger to make a point, her love of animals, the twinkle in her eyes, always calling her grandkids her #1's, and her universal appeal to make people feel good. Mom always said that when she's gone that she'll reach her "final reward. " And there's no doubt she has. . . Kochamy Cie Gramma BabiOnline condolences may be made at www. gundersonfh. com. Gunderson FitchburgFuneral & Cremation Care2950 Chapel Valley RoadFitchburg, WI 53711(608) 442-5002Show more
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