- Date Of Birth: May 5, 1931
- Date Of Death: September 22, 2022
- State: Michigan
Our dearly loved mother, grandmother, wife and friend, Lennie Miller, age 91, passed away peacefully September 22, 2022. Preceded by her parents Vern and Selma Lindholm, brother Clemet, husbands Charles West and Thomas LaRue Miller.
Lennie, the youngest of four siblings, grew up during the depression in a farm near Lindsborg, Kansas. She preferred the chores and responsibilities of what then would be called “men’s work” working alongside her father Vern Lindholm whom she loved so deeply. She helped bail hay, drive tractor and was an accomplished horseback rider. She was a member of 4-H, receiving many blue ribbons for the animals she raised and even Best in Show for her calf. Not so many ribbons for her cooking.
While raising three children, Lennie received a Master’s degree with honors in Special Learning Differences from University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Mn. She went on to teach elementary school for many years. She was known for her dedication, her love for the students and her high quality of teaching that reached so many children, helping them to realize their potential. She was often stopped in town, and heartfully thanked by many parents of her students throughout the years.
She moved to Tucson, Arizona, in the mid-1980’s, became a Certified Financial Planner and partnered with her then husband Chuck West to run a Financial Planning business. She absolutely loved the mountains, the warm weather, foliage, and the beautiful sunsets Arizona has to offer.
Lennie was an avid bridge player throughout her life, traveling across the country, garnering Master’s points and being invited to some of the top National Bridge Competitions including a competition with Omar Sharif. She made a deal with her loving husband Tom Miller, that if he would learn to play bridge, she would take up square dancing which meant she had to wear those puffy western square dance dresses. But she did, and through her tutelage Tom became an impressive bridge partner traveling alongside her.
Lennie’s greatest joy was her family. “I have the three best children in the world” she would say so often. From her farming and teaching background, she brought the qualities and examples of hard work, dedication to purpose, honesty, humility, and pure love into the household. She will be greatly missed.
Survived by her sisters, Ione Toll and Verna Jean Jennings; children, Jan Thorien (Mark) , Jim Meinen (Julie), and Judy Carmein (David); grandchildren Kira Thorien, Kalen Thorien, Alex Carmein, Will Meinen, Michaela Carmein, and Catie Meinen; and many other relatives and friends.
