Wilma Jean Miller (Jean), age 83, of Wagner, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls after suffering a heart attack. Private funeral services will be held. Burial is in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, rural Wagner.

Jean was born on October 27, 1932 to George and Mollie (Heberlien) Hoffman in Fort Morgan, Colorado. She was the third daughter born in her family, and all together there were six sisters: Vicky, Florence, Jean, Irene, Georgia, and Darolyn. She attended Fort Morgan High School where she was the head majorette. She met the love of her life, Howard Miller, while attending Colorado State University for business. Howard was in the ROTC at Colorado State University and they met at a drugstore malt shop. Howard was there with his military buddies and Jean was there with some girlfriends. When Howard saw Jean it was love at first sight and he absolutely had to introduce himself. Jean and Howard were married on June 28, 1952 in Mobile, Alabama and they were inseparable (except for Howard's deployments) until Howard's death on May 2, 2012. To this union, four daughters were born—Toni Jean, Joni Lugene, Terryl (Terri) Annette, and Lesa May.

Howard's United States Air Force career led them on many adventures which she enjoyed. She always handled the transitions with grace and packed the family up to move to their next assignment without any complaints. She generously served her country right alongside Howard by supporting him as he became a Senior Master Sergeant during the 27 years he was in in the military during the married life.

Jean and Howard moved to Wagner, SD when Howard's tour at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska ended in 1977. Howard loved this area for it's hunting and fishing. Jean had studied later in life to be a Social Service Worker and worked to help Governor Janklow and Senator Larry Pressler get the funding for what is now ParkView Villa and her office was put in that building. She retired from the state in 2001. Jean and Howard lived along Wagner Lake and truly appreciated what the Wagner area had to offer.

Jean had passions for reading, politics, and beautiful things. She loved to make holidays very special for her family, especially Christmas. In her final years she enjoyed playing cards and visiting with the ladies at her apartment complex as well as outings to the Wagner Theater and Valley Pump.

Jean had been excited for a grand reunion in Heaven with her mother. Jean's mother passed away while Howard was stationed in Morocco during the Cuban Crisis and the military could not allow Jean to travel back to the United States for her mother's funeral. Jean made the choice to become Catholic in 2015 in memory of her mother.

Survivors include daughters Joni (Joe) Soukup of Wagner, SD; Terri (Monty) Montemayor of Pompano Beach, FL; and Lesa (Robert) Palsma of Yankton, SD; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and 3 more on the way: Joey (Kristen) Soukup of Chicago, IL; Heather Montemayor of Pompano Beach, FL; Evan (Kandi) Palsma of Sioux City, IA and their son, Owen; Jamie (Charlene) Soukup of Wagner, SD and their children Clarah and Windsor; Danny (Stephanie) Montemayor of Pompano Beach, FL; and Megan (Shadoe) Thomas of Green Bay, WI and daughters Meadoe and Iris; son-in-law Kenny Lhotak of Wagner, SD; and brother-in-law Amil Letwin of Renton, WA.

Jean was a beautiful and gentle wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and friend who is proceeded in death by her beloved husband Howard, her daughter Toni, her five sisters, her parents and brother-in-law Richard Miller.