Effie Miller

Funeral services for Effie M. Miller, 97 of Kalona will be held Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 10:00AM at the Fairview Mennonite Church with Pastors Don Swartzentruber, Perry Miller and Leon Stutzman officiating.  Burial will follow at the Fairview Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 2 – 4 and 6 -8 PM at the Fairview Mennonite Church.  A memorial fund has been established for Gospel Echoes Prison Ministry. Effie Miller died Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Effie Marie (Swartzendruber) Miller was born February 20, 1917 in Wellman, Iowa     the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Bender) Swarztendruber.  Effie was united in marriage on August 14, 1938, to John A. Miller at the Fairview Mennonite Church.
She was baptized in her youth and was a currently a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church where she was active in the ladies sewing group, taught Sunday school and vacation bible school.  Effie graded Bible studies for Gospel Echoes Prison Ministry for 26 years.  She pieced and quilted many beautiful quilts and did embroidery. In her younger years she played basketball and loved skating.  Effie was a woman of strong Christian faith that served others through her gift of hospitality and was a prayer warrior for her family.

Survivors include four daughters: Judy (Eldon) Gingerich of Riverside, IA, Phyllis (Art) Bassett of Cleveland, GA, Joy (Ron) Cuchna of Amana, IA, Lorna (Glendon) Bender of Goshen, IN, 14 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren, three sisters; Edith Nisly, Ethel (Henry) Miller, Mary Elva (Vernon) Ropp and one brother, Ellis (Ila) Swartzendruber all of Kalona, IA.
Preceding Effie in death were her parents, her husband John on April 6, 2011, a son Richard Miller, a great granddaughter, Melanie Gingerich, one sister, Mildred Graber and one brother, Morris Swartzendruber.