Lorna J Miller

Lorna Luella Miller, age 99, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 4, 2026, in Loveland, Colorado. She was born June 19, 1926, on the Truman, Minnesota farm of her grandparents, Edward and Dora Luckow, to August H. and Lydia Luckow Wilde.

Lorna was baptized at six days old at her grandparents’ home by Rev. H. E. Brauer, and confirmed her faith on March 17, 1940, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minnesota, by Rev. O. Zemke.

Lorna spent her early childhood with her grandparents, Edward and Dora Luckow, due to her mother’s ill health. She was the oldest and only child for 11 years, and the only grandchild for years on both sides of the family.

At age 15, Lorna was unable to attend high school because she needed to care for her baby sister and her mother. She also helped with farm work; able to drive both truck and tractor. Many days she worked in the fields almost all day long. She later worked at the Fairmont canning factory during the harvest seasons, driving the tow motor (forklift) or doing other tasks.

On May 20, 1947, Lorna married Oscar E. Urban in Northwood, Iowa. They had five children and lived in Albert Lea, Minnesota; Plankinton, South Dakota; and Loveland, Colorado. They were later divorced.

Lorna graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1968 from Poudre R‑1 School of Practical Nursing in Fort Collins. She worked in various nursing homes as a charge nurse, in private duty, in doctors’ offices, and in hospice care until her retirement in 1985. She served as President of the Loveland LPNs in the 1970s and was active with part‑time and non‑practicing nurses of Northern Colorado.

Lorna married Cecil W. Miller on August 15, 1973, in Loveland. He preceded her in death on September 20, 2010.

Lorna was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church since 1965. She served on the Altar Guild for 40 years and chairman for many of those years, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Larimer County Genealogical Society, and the Friendship Force of Northern Colorado.

She traveled extensively, traveling with Journey Fest in 1990 and flying around the world in 1997, during which she was home‑hosted in Siberia. In 2003 she was privileged to meet distant sixth cousins in Germany and saw the home where her great‑grandmother was born in 1832. In 2012, at age 85, she traveled alone to Poland to research family history, visiting the area where her great‑grandfather was born in 1842 and even sleeping in a 1308 castle. She had hoped to walk in the church where her great-grandparents were married, but it was torn down in 1961.

Genealogy was Lorna’s passion, requesting and receiving information from many states and countries. She also loved spending time at the mountain property, picking berries until the cabin burned in 2000. Lorna volunteered for several years at Truscott School.

She had a great Lutheran heritage and was related to 15 Lutheran pastors. She loved German music, especially polka.

Lorna is survived by her children: Erland (Eileen) Urban of Milliken, CO; Ranae (Tom) Williams of Loveland, CO; Rhonda (Ted) Rutledge of Parker, CO.

Grandchildren: Karla Urban, Ryan (Emily) Williams, Angela (Travis) Smith, Taylor (Nick) Downing, Austin Rutledge, Erland (Millie) Urban, Allen Bartz, Eric (Cecilia) Urban, Alyssa Bartz.

Great‑grandchildren: Hudson Downing, Elijah Smith, Rowan Downing, Miah Smith, Erimal and Felix Urban, Brecken Downing, Blake Bartz, Everlyn Downing, Benjamin Smith, Gabby Yates, Leah Smith, and Eric and Elias Urban. 

Sister: Verna Pommerenke of Boise, ID.

Stepchild: Darla (Steve) Bower of Pinedale, WY.

Step‑grandchildren: LaRhea (Ed) McBee, David (Lisa) Bower, Chris (Janice) Miller, Erin Miller.

Step‑great‑grandchildren: Trystan and Jordynne Miller.

Many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne Miller, former husband Oscar Urban, sister Arlyce Henning, son Randy Urban and daughter Rebecca Bartz.