Bertha Ann Miller, 84

Bertha Ann Miller, 84, of Missoula, passed peacefully “into the presence of our Lord” on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at St. Patrick Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born on March 31, 1929, in Mandan, N.D., to Jacob and Julia Schlosser. She grew up on the family farm. After high school she attended beauty school along with her sister Cecelia.

Bertha moved to Missoula in 1956 where she met her one and only love, Russell J. Miller Sr. Bertha and Russell were married on Nov. 9, 1960. Their life together was cut short when Russell passed away due to cancer on Feb. 17, 1965. Russell had a son, Russell J. Miller Jr., whom Bertha loved and raised as her own.

Bertha worked at a couple of beauty shops before purchasing Fashion Beauty Shop, along with two partners. She loved her work and considered her customers to be her friends; some of whom she became very close with. She retired from her shop in 1986, but continued to travel to her customers' homes to do their hair until the last one passed away.

She enjoyed fishing, camping, growing flowers, reading, sewing, search word puzzle books and, of course, her customers. She was loved by all that knew her and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Julia Schlosser; her husband, Russell J. Miller Sr.; brothers, Jacob Schlosser, John Schlosser and Ralph Schlosser; and sisters, Cecelia Barth, Eva New and Frances Vogel.

Survivors include her stepson, Russell J. Miller Jr., and wife, Brenda, of Kalispell; three grandchildren, Brandt Miller of Missoula, Derek Miller and Danielle Miller, both of Kalispell; sisters, Clementine Schmidt of Missoula, and Helen Barth of Mandan; brothers, Kenneth Schlosser of Woodville, Wash., and Raymond Schlosser of Mandan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Christ The King Church in Missoula with Father Jeff Fleming officiating. Burial will be at Saint Mary Cemetery, Missoula.