Grace Ellen Miller

Grace Ellen Miller was born on February 9, 1928 in Kalona, Iowa. She was the daughter of Ben M. and Cora (Miller) Miller. She was united in marriage to Paul D Miller at Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona on August 15, 1948.

Grace lived her entire life in the Kalona area, where she was known for her warm hospitality, generous spirit, and delicious meals. She raised much of her own produce and delighted in sharing her canned foods and home-cooked meals. Though primarily a homemaker, Grace shared her gift for cooking in many ways. She regularly hosted large gatherings for friends and family. Early in her marriage, she cooked at the Wayside Inn in Kalona, and throughout her life, she donated in-home meals to benefit sales for Mennonite Central Committee and the Pleasantview Nursing Home.

Grace and Paul were charter members of Sunnyside Mennonite Church and were actively involved in the life of their congregation. Grace taught vacation Bible school and Sunday school, served as an MYF sponsor, worked on the service committee, and participated in the Women’s Sewing Circle. Grace also loved to sing: she taught her children how to harmonize, and she was often invited to sing in church octets.

Grace and Paul served on numerous service trips through Mennonite Disaster Service, where she oversaw meal planning and preparation for the work crews. She also volunteered at the Crowded Closet thrift store and the MCC sale.

In her later years, Grace courageously moved away from the home she had shared with Paul and into a cottage at the Pleasantview nursing home. Eventually, she transitioned into their direct care facilities. Wherever she lived, she continued to offer hospitality, friendship, and a warm welcome to those around her. She especially cherished time with her family, playing games and creating countless treasured memories with those she loved.

Grace died on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Pleasantview, following 98 years of life.

She is survived by her four children: Karen Albrecht (Robert) of Goshen, Indiana; Janice Godshall of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Merlin Miller (Monica) of Kalona; and Kenneth Miller (Bev) of Harleysville, Pennsylvania; 13 grandchildren, Anne Lehman (Aaron), Mark Albrecht (Jenn), Katrina Godshall, Jalisa Rios (Berny), Karla Esh (Dale), Matthew Miller (Meg), Martha Andrews (Tim), Mark Miller, Micah Miller, Megan Wiebersch (Kate), Patrick Miller (Jessica), Jordan Miller, and Vanessa Miller; 19 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marjorie Roth of Julesburg, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings Alta Swartzendruber, Cecil, and Ila Swartzendruber; her husband, Paul; and her son-in-law, Kenneth Godshall.

The family is grateful to the staff at Pleasantview for the support and loving care they provided Grace during the nearly five years she lived there.

Funeral Service will be 4:00 pm Sunday, August 16, 2026 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Kalona. The service will be live streamed on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook page and Sunnyside Mennonite Church YouTube Channel. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery rural Kalona. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:30 pm Sunday, August 16, 2026 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church. A memorial fund has been established for Pleasantview Home. Messages and tributes may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Grace and her family.