Verna C. Johnson Miller, 77, of Bowler, passed away Friday, May 30, 2014, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on Nov. 27, 1936, in the town of Red Springs, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Virginia (Mohawk) Johnson.
Verna was married on March 12, 1955, to Charles Terrio Sr. for 13 years. On Aug. 7, 1976, she was united in marriage to Arvid “Babe” Miller Jr. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1997. Verna was the first tribal employee of the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe. She was also the first nurse hired at the Stockbridge-Munsee Clinic. Verna always took care of other people and even acted the part of a first responder before there was such a thing. She would make house calls if needed and would welcomingly accept the sick and injured at her doorstep during all hours of the day and night. Later, Verna ran a daycare for her grandchildren in her home. Verna was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness and was the first woman to act as church council president. She was a Peacemaker for the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe, judge of the election board, health board member and a housing commissioner.
Verna is survived by her children, Terrie K. Terrio, of Bowler, Bonnie (Kirby) Welch Sr., of Bowler, Charles (Michelle) Terrio III, of Kroenwetter, William (Rhianne) Terrio, of Bowler, David (Jennifer ) Terrio, of Gresham, Verna (Michael) Micik, of Shawano, Angel (Jeff Zobeck) Miller, of Gresham, and Virginia (Jason) Hietpas, of Shawano; a stepdaughter, Keri Miller, of Shawano; grandchildren, Ken, KJ, Genna, Martin, Charlie, Ginny, Toban, Dakota, Dan, Andy, Sylas, Tia, Autumn, Rick, Mitchell, Aurora, Odessa, Manny, Charlee, Rose, Marley, Jaxsyn, Nick, Marcel, Sarah, Rupert, Mariah, Brooke, Devon and Rhiannon; siblings to her children, Scott Terrio and Ganelle Naud; 25 great-grandchildren; a brother, Leonard (Roxanne) Johnson, of Gresham; and two sisters, Bonnie (Les) Slater Sr., of Bowler, and Mary Cotton, of Gresham.
Verna is further survived by sisters-in-law, Sheila (Matt) Powless, Leah (Wabeno) Miller, Molly (Lloyd) Fredenberg, Kristy (Randy) Malone, Tammy (Roderick) Pecore, all of Bowler; brothers-in-law, Dick (Pat) Miller, Carl (Anita) Miller, Harvey Kroening, all of Bowler; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Babe; parents; brother, George F. Johnson; and mother-in-law, Bernice Miller Pidgeon.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m.Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness in Bowler with the Rev. Melinda Shriner officiating. Inurnment will be in the Stockbridge Indian Burial Grounds. Those who wish to stay after the burial are welcome to visit with the family.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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