Elisabeth Rosa Miller

Elisabeth Rosa Kilian was born in Mannheim, Germany, on April8, 1920, to Herman and Maria Kilian. Her father was an employeeof the National Railroad and spent most of his free hours working in the garden or otherwise to provide for and educate his five children.All of the five children went on to receive good educations and to professional careers. As the youngest daughter, Elisabeth had anespecially heavy load, pursuing her education while also having to help her frequently ill mother. Elisabeth survived a number of close calls at deaths door throughouther life. In her childhood, she suffered misdiagnosed appendicitis andwas rushed to the hospital at the last minute. Later, in wartime Germany,she was apparently the only survivor on a train that was attackedby warplanes. Elisabeth survived because she chose to hide under thewooden bench seats instead of running outside, where many people were hit and lost their lives. She made this lucky choice because shewas carrying with her a treasured painting, and she didnt want to leaveit. In May 1945 the townspeople of Hardheim, Germany, where Elisabethwas working as a pharmacist, heard in the distance the rumbling of approaching tanks, the sound growing louder. The American armoredcolumn halted outside town. Elisabeth was competent in English andFrench, and she was called to translate between the American officersand the town authorities. This is where Elisabeth met Warren Eddie Miller, a young G.I. with theSeventh U.S. Army. This was not as easy as just being introduced, asat that time, the Army had restrictions on contact with German civilians. Warren was one of few Americans to return to Germany after V-E day.He and Elisabeth married, and both enjoyed their interest in travellingthe world, as well as adjusting to new environments as Warrens Armyassignments changed. In 1952 Elisabeth and Warren Miller were living at Monterey, California,when she had to undergo emergency surgery. It was touch-and-go whether she would survive. Later, she said she saw her mother andfather standing there, and they said, Its not time for you to come yet.You have to live, to care for your children. Elisabeth greatly enjoyed cooking, and was truly a master in her kitchen.She enjoyed reading; sewing; flowers; practicing good taste in dress;cleaning up and creating Ordnung (order) in the household; making sure everyone was well-fed, well-dressed, and well-supplied; giving little gifts, and getting good value for her money. In the U.S., Elisabeth worked as a medical lab technician and even did a spell at Boeing. At work, she always gave more than was expected,cleaning up and arranging without complaints. Employers came to relyon her. Even when she was suffering she didnt care to complain. She always likedto smile and share a gentle joke, or recite one of her Old-Germany folk wisdoms.She truly never had a bad word for anyone. She was an angel on the earth,one of a kind. Over the years, Elisabeth and Warren visited a score of countries and made 25trips to Hawaii, where they were well known and liked at the militarys Hale Koahotel. Elisabeth had hoped to celebrate her 90th birthday in Hawaii also, but that wasnot to be. Too many serious health issues overwhelmed her. Always an activeperson with projects, she hated the restrictions her medical problems wereincreasingly placing on her. Finally, she found release from her troubles, onthe evening of 23 November 2009. Elisabeth is survived by her loving devoted husband of SIXTY-THREE years,and her loving children Christine, Michael, and Hubert.