Bethel “Beth” Eilene Miller, 100, of Oshkosh passed away early Friday morning, May 31, 2024 at her home on Lost Creek Ranch north of Oshkosh surrounded by her loving family.
Cremation has taken place and there are no formal services planned. Private family service will be held at a later date.
Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Miller family.
Family and friends can leave condolences at www.bondegardfunerals.com.
Bethel was born on September 21, 1923 in Davenport, lowa to George & Lora (Potter) Bostwick, where her father was attending medical school. After his graduation they returned to Nebraska. Bethel graduated from North Platte High School and attended Kearney State College. She then married Art B. Miller on February 14, 1943. To this union two sons were born: Ted & Rick. Their marriage lasted almost seventy years until Art's passing on February 4, 2013.
As a young bride she and Art owned and operated a small dairy farm near Maxwell, Nebraska. Bethel helped milk at 4 a.m., cooked on a wood burning stove and had no indoor plumbing. Years later they purchased a motel in Sidney which Bethel managed. Ted & Rick then went to school in Sidney. Art traveled from Maxwell on weekends to be with the family while his cousin took care of the farm in Maxwell. Due to a horse related accident that severely injured Art, they sought an easier life and bought a ranch north of Oshkosh in 1966. They ran a cattle operation and grew corn and alfalfa until Art passed away at age 89.
Bethel was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. Bethel's passion was gardening. She so enjoyed flowers. Her yard was once featured in a garden magazine, and she won many ribbons at the Garden County Fair for her creative arrangements. She was a charter member of the Garden County Garden Club for over sixty years and hosted their annual Harvest Banquet at the ranch each year. She definitely had a gift of hospitality as she welcomed everyone to her home and provided meals for them no matter the time of day and provided beds if they needed to stay. Bethel was playful and mischievous. She often caught her family off guard by her antics, so they always knew to expect the unexpected when visiting the ranch. She cooked for all the brandings, even the Rocky Mountain Oysters! She was a really good cook! No one could match her cinnamon rolls. She also won ribbons at fair for her baking.
Bethel was actively involved in the community: member of Wesleyan Church teaching Sunday School, youth group activities with hayrides, ladies group and volunteering wherever needed. Bethel remained active until she fractured her hip in 2019. After recovering at Ted's home, she chose to stay at the ranch with her roly-poly walker and golf cart to get around planting her garden and flowers until May of this year. Bethel was a true pioneer woman as her life has been lived in the spirit of early Nebraskans. She was given the honorary title award by Governor Jim Pillen in 2023: ADMIRAL The Great Navy of the STATE OF NEBRASKA.
She is survived by sons Ted (Karen) of Oshkosh, Rick, of Tucumcari, New Mexico, ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, brothers, George (Marilyn) and Dick Bostwick and nieces, nephews and cousins.
In eternal life Bethel joins her husband, Art, parents, sisters Lois (Irvin) & Jeannie (Jerry), granddaughter Laura, niece Diny & nephew David.