Betty Jean Miller

Betty Jean Miller, 94, of Missoula, Montana passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025.  She was at home, with her loving family beside her.

 

Betty Jean Kramen was born to Lawrence Kramen and Mildred (Andrews) Kramen on March 12, 1931 at the family home on Missoula’s West Side.  Two sisters followed: Martha Louise in 1933 and Ellen Harriet in 1936.  The family generally called her Betty Jean, but her sisters called her Liz.  The Kramens’ Howell Street place resembled a small farm, with chickens, sheep, pigs, a milk cow and a large garden. 

 

The girls walked only a couple of blocks to attend eight grades at Lowell Elementary School. When Betty Jean was 14, the family bought their ranch in the North Hills; her teen and early adult years were spent back and forth between the ranch and Howell Street.  She graduated from Missoula County High School in 1949.  Subsequently, she was a Candy Striper at St. Patrick Hospital, where she also completed a Licensed Practical Nursing program.   

 

Betty Jean met and fell in love with Allen Richard Miller in the spring of 1951; they married October 13th of that year.  They began their life together at the Howell Street house, where they lived when their children Louise Mae (1952) and Richard Lawrence (1954) were born.  The Miller family eventually settled in a Rattlesnake valley home, where Betty Jean lived for over 60 years.  Allen passed away on October 7, 2023, just days before their 72nd wedding anniversary. 

 

Betty Jean spent a 25-year career at the University of Montana Curry Health Center, starting out as a weekend night nurse, then transferring to the mental health counseling unit at Curry. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University in 1979, became a nurse practitioner and eventually she led the mental health unit at Curry until her retirement in 1993. She was honored with the following words: “her dedication, compassion and wisdom have helped keep things a little less ‘crazy.’”  As a skilled therapist, Betty listened!  Her friends, family and colleagues often heard her ask “How does that make YOU feel?” 

 

Her faith was a big part of Betty Jean’s life.  With her family, she was a congregant of St. Francis Xavier church for her entire adult life.  She chose to have her children attend Catholic schools.  The church was one part of her unwavering community-minded spirit.  She touched so many peoples’ lives in Missoula over her 94 years! 

 

A source of pride and connection for Betty was her long relationships with relatives (on her father’s side) in Norway.  She encouraged family members to know and treasure their Norwegian roots.  In addition, she cherished her relationships on her mother’s, the Andrews side.  She was proud to have deep roots in Missoula’s North Hills and in Swan River.

 

The cabin at Seeley Lake was one of her most special places, a property that has been in the family for nearly 90 years.  It is where she loved to read, water ski, cook big summer meals, enjoy grandchildren, and pick huckleberries.

 

Betty Jean was preceded in death by her husband Allen Miller, by her parents, Lawrence and Mildred Kramen, and by two nephews, Tom Froelich and Carl White, Jr.

She is survived by her sisters Elen H. Spurlock and Martha L. Kramen and by her daughter, Louise Stiegler (husband Bruce Stiegler) and by her son Richard Miller (wife Kathy Inman Miller).  Louise and Bruce’s children are Scott Stiegler, (wife Melissa) and Lissa Munson (husband Mark).  Anna, Jacob and Sophia are Scott and Melissa’s children.  Lissa and Mark’s children are Danica and Tyler.  Richard and Kathy’s children include Lars Miller, Lindsey Steinmetz, and Kris Steinmetz.  Kris’s daughters are Kayla and Kellyn.  Kayla’s daughter Katrina is Betty’s only great-great granddaughter. Betty is also survived by a much-loved family member, Donna Louise Erickson.    

 

The extended family gives special thanks to the many caregivers who have lovingly helped and supported Betty over the last months.  We will never forget your professionalism and compassion. 

 

Betty Jean Miller’s cremation was conducted under the direction of Just Cremation services in Missoula.  

 

Mass service will be held Monday, November 24 at 11AM at St. Francis Xavier Church, 420 W. Pine Street in Missoula.  A reception will follow immediately at Reidy Hall in the church’s lower level.