Bernadette Marie "Berdie" Miller

Bernadette Marie “Berdie,” Miller (also known by some as “Bernie”) passed away early Wednesday morning, March 25, 2020 at the BeeHive Homes in Butte. She was born Friday, May 6, 1927 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Charles and Augustine (Dugas) Heroux. Mom was raised and educated in Manitoba and moved to Butte in the early part of 1950 where she worked for Mountain Bell as a telephone operator. It was there that she met our Dad, Robert “Bob” Miller, and after a whirlwind romance, they were united in marriage on October 22, 1950 in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Together they made their home in Butte where they raised four children. Dad passed away April 9, 1990, after being cared for with much love at home by Mom for many months before his passing. Mom taught herself how to sew, making her kids’ clothing for many years. She also worked as a seamstress from home and in various places in Butte. She was an avid gardener, and was especially proud of her tiger lilies and vegetable garden. She enjoyed camping and campfires in her yard, was a good bowler in her younger years, and had a great love for dancing. She talked frequently about the jitterbug contest she was in when she first moved to Butte, and she and Dad went dancing most weekends after the kids were grown. But baking was her true passion. Especially after Dad passed, she spent most days baking bread, cookies and cocktail pasties, and gave them all away. She had a very generous spirit. Her love for baking and entertaining inspired many of her grandkids and kids to do the same. When she wasn’t baking, she was in the garage creating wooden cutouts and then painting them. Many were recipients of her cutouts, and she had a couple walls in her home to display the others. She loved drawing as well, especially women in swimsuits. Some of her grandchildren have fond memories of doing sleepovers at their grandma’s house. She was a longtime and active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and most Saturdays, she brought her treats for the priests and her friends. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law: Jeanette and Jess Cooksey, Marilyn and Doug Cameron and Dianne and Steve Ostenburg all of Butte, son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Debbie Miller of Helena. She had a special place in her heart for Terri Johnson who considered Mom as her surrogate mother for 30 years. Her friend Sharon Bugni was a faithful visitor at BeeHive to keep up Mom’s spirits. Her twelve grandchildren include Shaunna and Keith Ogolin, Lisa Howe, Jacen Howe, Theresa and Mike Duffy; Kara and Keith Evans, Matt and Brieanne (Vermiere) Cameron, Holly and Mark Kary; Brianna and Zack Horne, Eric and Tiffany Ostenburg; Rob and Stacey Miller, Jake and Amber Miller, Julie and Ian Thigpen (great granddaughter expected in April). Mom’s eighteen great-grandchildren include Hailey and Nate Thompson (great great granddaughter Quinn due in June) and Brian Ogolin; Tyler and Tegan Duffy; Cameron and Kabrie Evans, Nota and Holt Cameron, and Alexis and Jackson Kary; Bladen and Eleye Horne and Zaylon and Axel Ostenburg; Nolan and Makayla Miller and Finley, Declan and Rowan Miller. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Robert and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings: Leon Heroux, Antionette “Tony” Heroux Hargreaves, Lorraine Pressler, Doris Bircham, Theresa “Tress” Richter, Louis Heroux, Henry Heroux and her son-in-law, Ken Howe. Special thanks to the staff at BeeHive Homes who took such good care of mom for the past 3 ½ years and especially in her last days. We are also so grateful to Senior Solutions for the hospice care Mom received in the past few weeks. Special thanks to Sheena, Shamai, Dan and Holly for their compassion and care for mom and the whole family. Cremation has taken place. A funeral Mass and celebration will take place as soon as we are able. Interment of ashes with Rite of Committal will take place in Mountain View Cemetery at a future date.

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Bernadette Marie "Berdie" Miller

May 6, 1927 - March 25, 2020