Sylvia Elizabeth Miller, 93 years old, passed away August 12, 2025 in Lawrence, KS. She died from stroke complications. She is now safe in the arms of Jesus.
Sylvia was born March 9, 1932 to Lloyd Marion Crabtree and Perle Leona (Schroeder). Sylvia lost her parents at an early age but she learned from them a deep devotion to the Bible and prayer.
When Sylvia was a youth she attended an evangelistic meeting in her home town of Ellendale, Minnesota with her teenage group. Marv Rosenthal was the evangelist and he shared how to give your life to Jesus and she did. She attended the Methodist Church, and later the Evangelical Free Church. While living in Lawrence, Sylvia attended Redemption Hill Church with her son’s family.
Sylvia enjoyed attending Sunday School, Church and Bible Studies. She and her husband, Donald, supported and hosted missionaries. She loved singing in the choir through the years and just singing out in church. She often shared the gospel wherever she was and most recently in her independent living apartment building with her friend and neighbor, David.
Many loved her sweet spirit. She grew up in simplicity, losing both parents during the Depression. She was 1 of 12 siblings. Four did not live beyond childhood. Through these humble circumstances she learned to cook, sew and serve well. Her children and others remember looking forward to her delicious breads, cookies, and meals!
One of the memories she liked to share was how her father would take his children on walks and tell them stories about God from the Bible. She said there was a tree in the field he liked to sit under.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Donald Ray Miller on November 28th, 2017. She is survived by her four children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren:
Debra (Miller) Sande, her husband Jack of Kalama, Washington. Their children are: Jonathan Sande; Timothy (Leah) Sande [children: Titus and Lydia]; Stephen Sande (Katie) [children: Josiah and Hannah.]
Marcia (Miller) Erickson, her husband John of Winona Lake, Indiana. Their children are: Jonathan Erickson; Daniel Erickson [children: Carter and Andrew]; Abigail Elizabeth (Erickson) Johnson, her husband Peter Johnson [children: Zion, Noah, Moriah and Naomi]; Joseph Erickson.
Marguerite Pearl (Miller) Sigafus, her husband Phil of Grandview, Missouri. Sylvia is playing with their precious children in heaven.
Craig Miller, his wife Lori (Howard) of Lawrence, Kansas. Their children are: Brek Miller, his wife Johanna [children: Remington and Theoden]; Bradi (Miller) Parkin, her husband Steven [children: Ruby, Primrose, Belle and Judah]; Bryce Miller, his wife Alli [children: Ian and Leland].
Sylvia was devoted in prayer and love to her family.
She also held a deep devotion to her siblings and their families. She was number 7 of 8 adult children. She was the last living member of her family. Her siblings were: Henry (Ellamae) Crabtree; Lucy (Bob) Siedelmann; Ruth (Renier) Elenbaas; Walter (Dorothy) Crabtree; Hazel (Joe) Soukup; Daniel (Phyllis) Crabtree; Seth (Fern) Crabtree.
Some of Sylvia’s lifelong friends were, Rosalyn “Rosie” (Ferguson) Peterson; Doris Herrmann; Allalee (Crabtree) Miller Bubeck; and Kathy (Miller) Muhlenbruch.
Sylvia’s faith and strength were always in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She daily read from her Bible and devotional and enjoyed listening to David Jeremiah. Her favorite hymns were: It Will Be Worth It All; Love Found a Way; People Need the Lord; He the Pearly Gates Will Open; Look for Me by Dale Tornell; The Little Brown Church in the Vale.
She always mentioned with great respect her Aunt Grace and Uncle Dezell Crabtree. They helped her through the years after her parents passed.
All of her children and their spouses walk with God. Sylvia taught Women’s Bible Study at 90 years of age in her Lawrence, Kansas home church until her hearing and sight made it too difficult.
Sylvia worked many jobs throughout her life: Artist; Porcelain Painting Instructor; PBX Operator; Employee in a bakery; Nanny; Wood Shutter Maker; Tailor; Piece Assembly Worker; and her favorite – Full Time Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.
She volunteered in Pioner Girls, Brownies, Choir, Sunday School, Children’s Church and Bible Studies. She and Don hosted an American Foreign Exchange Student from Norway, Berit (Stubberud) Guttormsen. She kept in touch with her all these years.
Sylvia was an accomplished artist and teacher in Porcelain, Photo Coloring, Acrylics, Oil and Water Color. She was President of PASA, Porcelain Artist Guild of Albuquerque.
Sylvia loved Romans 8, especially verse 18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” She also cherished and shared a chapter close to her heart, Isaiah 55.
Sylvia’s Memorial in Kansas is Friday, August 15 with visitation from 3 to 3:45 pm. Service at 4 pm. At Redemption Hill Church, Lawrence, KS. Steven Parkin officiating.
Sylvia’s Memorial Service in Iowa is 10:00 am, Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Blairsburg Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 501 3rd Street, Blairsburg, Iowa. A luncheon will follow the service at the church at 11:30 am. Family graveside service will be at 1:30 pm, Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Morgan Cemetery in Hampton, Iowa. John Erickson will be officiating.
Donations in Sylvia Miller’s memory may be made to Insight Women’s Center, Info@Insightlawrence.org or Redemption Hill Church 802 West 22nd Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Don were always generous with their time and loving with their hearts. I am so glad my family got to meet Uncle Don and Aunt Sylvia on our trip out to California in 2017. Uncle Don and Aunt Sylvia will always have a special place in my heart because they always were so kind to me. Prayers for all of the Miller family-my heart goes out to all of you.
Sylvia was my favorite cousin… she visited our farm (Grace and Dezell Crabtree) often while I was growing up.after I was married Steve and I and baby Matthew were invited up to their place in MN and while the girls took care of Matthew,
Sylvia took me to a fabric warehouse in Minneapolis and Don took Steve hunting. At the fabric warehouse we bought lingerie fabric and Sylvia taught me how to sew nightgowns etc. This is one of my favorite memories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ-wevK4psY
Here is the link to view mom’s funeral at Redemption Hill.
I knew Don and Sylvia when they lived in Albuquerque. They always treated me like family and showed me love in a way I hadn’t known. I have some of the china pieces that Sylvia made, and I treasure them. She was a very special person.
Our deepest condolences to Sylvia’s children and grandchildren. We were blessed to know Don and Sylvia from the ’90s for about 15 years at Alameda Bible Church. Such a sweet loving couple, always caring about others. I pray that you have a sweet time getting together as family and remembering the life of your Mom and Grandma together. 💕
Our hearts are full of thankfulness for all the love and care for mom while we lived so far away. Craig and Lori, and family, and her apartment friends, her church family ~ thank you. Rumsey Yost Funeral home made her look beautiful and I was able to say good bye. We only chatted on the phone as we hurried from IN to KS.
Craig held the phone and I was able to tell her not to wait. Just go Go to Jesus. Thank you. Thank you everyone for loving my momma. She loved you too.
Craig and Lori, our hearts go out to you and to your family. We are never ready to lose a parent, and I know you loved and treasured your mom deeply. We send our love to you and yours as you remember and grieve.
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
The picture here is a perfect reminder of Sylvia; her smile and warmth, with a tiny hint of mischief. Seeing that picture brings me smiles from the inside out. We have good memories of her and Don. We met Margeaux once while Don was in the hospital. Terri especially appreciated Sylvia’s openness and honesty about her struggles. She was looking forward to being with her family when she moved to Kansas from Albuquerque, so we were happy for her. Thank you to her family for your care and love for her.
This is Craig, Sylvia’s son. Your messages are being read and are a blessing to the family. Thank you for sharing!
Sylvia was our adopted grandma in Albuquerque. I moved away from family to NM and she and Don filled a need for me and my husband and for our 6 kids. They routinely had us into their home and supported our activities. Sylvia’s cooking was legendary and she taught china painting to my daughters and encouraged them to enter the state fair. They were thrilled to win prizes for their china! Sylvia was also a spiritual mentor who modeled a strong faith that encouraged me in my walk with the Lord. Our loss is heaven’s gain! My condolences to the family.
I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Miller this past spring with her daughter Margeux. She was beaming with an energetic joy that I have seen in her daughter many times. I grieve with you Margeux and Phil for the loss of your Mom and also share in your Joy that she is with our beloved father in heaven and we will meet her again in her full glory.
Sylvia Miller or Grandma Miller as we knew her was a precious member of Alameda Bible Church for many years. She was such encouragement to me as I started my first pastorate here. I am so thankful to have known her and she will be missed.