Velma Maxine (Max) Miller, 90, of Rathdrum, passed away Oct. 17, 2011. Born June 9, 1921, to Rado and Maudie (Birge) Bond in Pomeroy, Wash., Maxine grew up and graduated high school in Pomeroy.

On Oct. 18, 1937, she married Charles Miller. They moved to Big Creek in 1941 and subsequently to Enaville in 1944. Maxine and Charlie began their careers as tavern operators/owners in 1952 when they leased Elsie's Tavern (Winebrenner's) and later the T-Off Tavern and Restaurant, both in Pinehurst.

In 1960, they moved to Coeur d'Alene where they operated Charlie Brown's Tavern on the Fort Grounds. In 1969, they moved to Charlie's Acres in Rathdrum where she continued to work the bar until 2009.

Survivors include sons, Harry (Ron) and Ruth Miller of Parker, Colo., and Dale Miller of Rathdrum; sisters Doris Landkammer of Pomeroy and Jessie Greatorex of Seattle; brother Clarence and Elaine Bond of Sun City, Ariz.; four nieces, eight nephews, five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

"Max" in one word was colorful... She has more friends than she has Avon. She worked very hard all her life.

She has served a few million beers. She was a knockout in her time, but that was just a small part of her... To know Maxine was to love Maxine. "TOODLE-DOO."

A potluck celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at Charlie's Acres Tavern.

Cremation was handled by Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene.

Please visit Maxine's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.