Mary Lou Miller

Mom was born on October 29, 1943, to Ray and Florence Trudell at the Brodhead Home in Fairview, MT. She joined five older siblings and was later blessed with two younger ones. She often reminisced about her cherished childhood on the family ranch west of Nohly, MT, along the Missouri River. She loved the ranch deeply—the wide-open spaces, the freedom to ride horses, and the joyful adventures she shared with her family and neighbors.

After graduating from Fairview High School, she attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, where she earned a two-year teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at the Arthur School south of Poplar, MT. She adored her students and loved to recount the many adventures they shared. One of her favorite stories was the day she somehow managed to fit her students—and a handful of nieces and nephews—into her little Volkswagen Beetle for a trip to the movie house in Poplar. Anyone who knew her can still hear her laughter as she told the tale of ten people packed into a Volkswagen.

During this time, she met and married Dale Miller. Together they had three children before later divorcing.

Mom was always a hard worker and fiercely independent. While raising her children, she drove school bus, sold Avon, sold eggs, worked at JCPenney, and later at Wills Office World in Wolf Point.

Her true calling, however, was caregiving. She served many years as the Aging Coordinator for Roosevelt County and later opened Harada House, an assisted living facility in Wolf Point. She loved every person who lived there, treating them as family and giving them a quality of life second to none. After choosing to close Harada House, she continued to offer a “home away from home” to many—construction workers, hunters, and Filipino teachers among them. She loved to cook, and nobody ever left her house hungry. She didn’t just provide lodging; she offered love, guidance, and a genuine sense of family to everyone who crossed her threshold.

She also loved the community of Wolf Point and served on the school board, the Montana Council on Aging, volunteered at the Wolf Point Senior Center, served on the board for Tikkun Olam, and worked at the Wolf Point Stampede for many years. She made countless lifelong friendships simply by opening her home and her heart. Mom never knew a stranger.

She carried an unwavering love for adventure and spontaneous joy. Whether embarking on an unplanned road trip, traveling by RV with her family, hunting for arrowheads, going on a cruise, or spending time camping, she embraced every journey with a full heart and abundant laughter.

As her health declined, she chose to move to South Carolina to live with her daughter in September 2024. During her final year, she embraced life with the same spirit she always had—taking a cruise to Costa Rica, attending a Riverdance performance, traveling to Florida, and delighting in the beautiful flowers of South Carolina. If you knew Mom, you knew how deeply she loved flowers.

Mom is survived by her daughter, Marla Miller Zeluff (Rob), and her sons, Wesley Miller (Sheila) and Brian Miller (Shari). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amari Zeluff, Elijah Zeluff, Kaitlyn Miller, Cassie Huber, Cortney Miller, and Colton Miller; and her siblings Irene Emly, Dennis Trudell, and Gene Trudell. Awaiting her in heaven are her beloved parents, Ray and Florence; her brothers Jerry, Russ, and Paul; her sister Elda Gabrielson; and her grandson Thomas Miller. She also leaves behind innumerable treasured friends who became family.

Mom leaves us with an incredible legacy of unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance. We are certain there was a sweet gathering in heaven—complete with accordion music, games, hugs, and her unmistakable laugh—when our precious angel arrived.

Mom, we love you beyond measure. We will miss you more than words can express, but we are forever honored by the example you set. Your adventurous spirit and unconditional love will forever walk beside us.

A celebration of life service will be planned for late spring/early summer.