Obituary of Ada Jeanette Miller

Miller, Ada Jeanette of Richfield, previously of North Minneapolis, passed away on Thursday June 18, 2020.  Born Ada “Jeanette” Johnigan January 2, 1926 in Buffalo, New York to Ada Irene & Eugene Clarence Johnigan.  The Johnigan family moved from Buffalo to north Minneapolis at 2 years old, and eventually moving to south Minneapolis where Jeanette spent her formative years.  She graduated from Central High, and later attended teacher certification classes at the University of Minnesota.  She married her “everything” Earl Miller on August 10^th, 1946.  She and Earl raised four children in north Minneapolis. 

Jeanette valued education.  First as an active PTA mother, then later as a 36+ year educator for the Minneapolis Public Schools.  She was civically minded, serving as a non-partisan election judge for almost 50 years in Minneapolis, as well as being politically active in the local civil rights movement.  Jeanette worked tirelessly campaigning for progressive DFL candidates such as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Don Fraser, Martin Olav Sabo, Al Hofstede, and Mark Dayton to name a few.  Jeanette was a loyal friend, loved her children, and her grandchildren even more!  She enjoyed traveling, walking, cooking, exercising, going to Red Lobster, the casino, bowling (fun fact, was in-fact a champion bowler!), and most of all spending time with her friends and family.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Earl W. Miller; brothers, Don Vernon & Leon C. Johnigan; sisters, Minerva Miller & Wilma Randall; daughter, Tracey M. Miller-Parsons.  She is survived by daughters, Gail Fullington; Marsha Miller-Taylor (Robert); son, Byron E. Miller (Jennifer Weiss); sister-in-law, Claire Johnigan.  She is also survived by nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.  Memorial service Saturday September 25^th at 3:00 PM, at First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Ave. S., Mpls.  First Universalist is following Covid-19 protocols of social distancing as well as requiring masking for all attendees.  Burial at Fort Snelling Cemetary at a later date.  Jeanette is greatly missed by those whose life she touched.  Cremation Society of MN, Mpls.  612-825-2435.