Patricia Miller

Patricia “Patty” Jones Howes Miller, age 92, passed away on April 28, 2026. On that day, we imagine a joyful reunion in heaven as she was welcomed by her husband—perhaps with his familiar humor: “What took you so long, were you putzing again?” and her quick-witted reply, “Why didn’t you come for me sooner?”

Patty was born on July 18, 1933, in Rifle, Colorado, to Floyd and Bessie (Brown) Jones. In 1937, her family—parents and ten children—relocated to Leadville, Colorado, where Patty later graduated from high school in 1951. Growing up among many siblings (Harry, Betty Jane, Eileen, Shirley, Mary Jean, Dixie, Adrienne/Happy, John, and Bob), she was surrounded by strong women who helped shape her life.

In 1952, she married John Maxson Howes. Together they had four children: David (who died in infancy), Mark, Roxanne, and Rebecca. In 1980, she married Donald Herbert Miller of Finlayson, Minnesota, and his nine children: Dawn, Dian, Denise, Deedree, Doreen, Damita Jo, Darin, Dan, and Deana entered her life. Patty’s life was richly blessed by the many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who brought her joy.

Patty devoted many years to being a homemaker, caring not only for her own children but also for many others through daycare. She later worked as an assistant to a local chiropractor before joining Lakes and Pines, where she helped implement assistance programs in the county. In her later years, she worked at Grand Casino in Hinckley.

She and her husband Don built their home outside of Finlayson, a place she took great pride in as they built it themselves with the help of many others. Patty had a deep love of flowers, evident in her outdoor gardens and thriving indoor plants. She spent countless hours tending her garden and preserving its bounty. Her small kitchen was truly the heart of the home, where meals were made with love—especially her famous chocolate cake. Anyone helping in the kitchen inevitably bumped “buns” along the way.

Patty was very active in supporting her husband’s love of horses and was involved with the Pine Creek Saddle Club in various roles. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a dedicated member of St. John’s Free Lutheran Church in Finlayson, where she served as secretary on the board of trustees for many years and participated in Bible study.

In 2020, Patty began a new chapter in Bismarck, North Dakota, living near her daughter Roxanne. This allowed her to spend more time with her great-grandchildren, delighting in playful moments—giving rides on her walker or wheelchair and sharing her signature wit. Even after being diagnosed with bone cancer, her spirit remained strong. She was once spotted at the zoo gleefully “whipping Louies” on a scooter, sticking out her tongue at amused onlookers.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Bessie; her husband Don; most of her siblings; stepchildren Dian (Larry) Nielsen and Darin Miller; grandson Bennet Kerfoot; granddaughter Callie Glerum; and great-grandchildren Brett Stuts and Isla Jackson.

She is survived by her children Mark (Renee Jensen) Howes, Roxanne Howes, and Rebecca (Darren Thompson) Kerfoot; her stepchildren Dawn (John) Johnson, Denise (Doug) Degerstrom, Deedree (Rusty) Ludwig, Doreen (Todd) Gamble, Damita Jo (David) Miller-Chasson, Dan (Hope) Miller, and Deana (Martin) Arndt; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Keating, who is 99 years young, and many friends.

A celebration of Patty’s life will be held later this summer at St. John’s Free Lutheran Church in Finlayson, Minnesota.

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