Louise Miller

Louise Miller, age 88, of Philip, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Louise Mae Mehlbrech was born April 20, 1933, near Canistota, South Dakota to George and Mary (Wingert) Mehlbrech. She attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Salem.

Louise was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” Miller on June 20, 1950, and they made their home in the Salem area. She worked as a homemaker during this time.

In 1965 the couple moved with their nine children to Philip, South Dakota where their tenth one was born. Louise worked at the Midway Café and the Senechal Café as a cook for many years. She then decided to work for herself and managed the Sale Barn Café. Louise had built in help with her daughters, and she continued to manage the café for many years. Louise said that one week she made 54 pies, and that was her all-time record.

She was a fabulous cook, and you could not beat her pies, buns, or baked beans. Due to declining health she moved to the Senechal Apartments in March of 2012. Louise volunteered for the senior meals program and the Bad River Senior Citizens Center. She enjoyed her time at the Senechal and enjoyed having coffee with her friends, playing cards with them, and looking out for one another.

Louise liked hunting and fishing with Hank. She had her own pole and gun. Louise would then come home and process what they bagged that day and cooked it up for everybody there. Her eyes would light up if you mentioned pheasant or walleyes as those where her favorites.

Survivors include one son Mike Miller and his wife Debbie of Philip; four daughters Linda Stotts and her husband Carl of Missoula, Montana, Rene Konst of Philip, Mary Lee of Rapid City, and Donna Kroetch and her husband Brad of Rockledge, Florida; 24 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one sister Mildred Johnson of Watertown; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband Henry W. “Hank” Miller on November 5, 2001; five children Leonard Miller, Joan Miller, Nancy Roehler, Karen Williams, and Vicky Dale; her parents; four brothers Aruthur Mehlbrech, Orville Mehlbrech, Harold Mechbrech and Irwin Mehlbrech; and four sisters Mary Katherine Novak, Bernice Finnegan, Dorothy Jenneman, and Ethel Bartling.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 25, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.