Obituary of Judith Ann Miller

Judith A. ‘Judy’ Miller, age 78, a longtime rural Solon resident, died Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, just 100 days after the death of her husband, Richard. Many who knew her believe she died of a broken heart.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon, where visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Monday. A parish Rosary will conclude visitation at 7 pm Monday evening. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Solon. In honor of Judy, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon. To share a thought, memory, or condolence with her family, please visit the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.

Judith Ann English was born October 27, 1947, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Mary “Colleen” (Bemrich) English. Following graduation from St. Edmond High School in 1966, she enrolled at and later graduated from Mt. Mercy College in 1970. On June 9, 1973, Judy married Richard Miller. Judy began her teaching career in the Cedar Rapids School District, took time off to raise her three children and be the farmwife her family needed.  After the children were older she went back to Cedar Rapids Schools a special education paraprofessional which she would share was some of the most rewarding years of her career.

Judy was a woman of very strong faith, very active in her church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Solon, serving on many committees, volunteering for everything under the sun, even publishing a book titled “St. Mary’s Heritage Book 1850-1998”. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, and of course her gardens.  But nothing, and we mean nothing, was more important than her family, especially her grandchildren and most recently her first great-granddaughter.

Her family includes her sons, Reverend Christopher Miller, and Terry Miller and his wife, Rhonda; daughter, Jodi Palmer and her husband, Adam; five grandchildren, Cole Miller and his wife, Morgan, Brooke Miller, Autumn Miller, Kelsey Palmer and Landon Palmer; Great-granddaughter, Hadley Miller; siblings Phillip (Elaine) English, Martha ("Pat") Hughes, Mary (Robert "Bob") Cass, and Kathleen (John) Kauble; sister-in-law, Shelly English; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard; siblings, Robert, Richard, Tim, Beth and John English and Sara Marsh, and nephew Jeff Marsh,