Mildred Elizabeth Miller

Mildred Elizabeth Miller of North English died Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo.
Mildred was born near Millersburg, Iowa on March 30, 1922, the youngest child of Erwin and Ada (Pope) Lortz. She graduated as valedictorian from Millersburg High School in 1939 where she participated in kittenball, basketball, glee club, band, declamatory, class plays and was a class officer. She attended William Penn College for one year and graduated from Cedar Rapids Business College in 1942.
Mildred married Robert Plank, Sr in 1943 in Denison, Texas. Robert died while training for the Air Corp in 1944. She married Leelyn D. Miller in 1947. They made their home in North English. Leelyn preceded her in death in 2012. Mildred was a life-long member of Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church where she played piano for many years. She was secretary of the North English School Board for 13 years and later worked for Evans Photography as a photographer and bookkeeper for 30 years. Mildred enjoyed keeping an immaculate house, knitting, cross stitch, sewing, travel, cross word puzzles and the Chicago Cubs. She loved caring for plants and flowers both inside and out. Mildred was patient enough for countless hours of Monopoly, Chinese checkers and dominoes with her grandsons.
Mildred is survived by her son Gary L. (Janie) Miller and daughter-in-law Vickie Plank, all of North English; grandsons Matt (Katie) Miller and Andrew (Laura) Miller of North Liberty and Frosty (Deanna) Plank of Benton Harbor, Michigan; great granddaughter Adeline Elizabeth Miller; step great grandchildren Cameron Heitshusen of Williamsburg and Georgeanna Heitshusen of East Lansing, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two brothers, Russell and Charles E. Lortz; her son Robert Plank, Jr and a grandson Mickey Plank.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be directed to the English Valleys Citizen's Scholarship Fund or to Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com