IOWA FALLS — Doris N. Miller, 97, a former longtime Iowa Falls resident, died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, at St. Mark Catholic Church, 415 Main Street in Iowa Falls.
A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Doris will be laid to rest at St. Mark Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Richard and Doris Miller Scholarship Fund at Ellsworth Community College, 1100 College Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.
Doris was born March 10, 1929, in Iowa Falls to Harley and Iva Helvig. Her mother died shortly after giving birth to her, one of the early heartaches Doris would meet with the deep faith and perseverance that guided her throughout life.
She attended Maple Grove country school near Iowa Falls and continued her education at Ellsworth Community College. Doris later earned her teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa.
While attending Ellsworth, she met Richard E. Miller, the man who would become her husband and lifelong companion. Doris and Richard married July 20, 1950, becoming the final couple married inside the original St. Mark Catholic Church in Iowa Falls.
They shared 54 years of marriage before Richard’s death in 2004.
Doris and Richard spent their entire married life in Iowa Falls, raising five children and building lasting connections throughout the community.
Her Catholic faith remained central to her life. Doris volunteered actively at St. Mark Catholic Church and generously gave her time to the Iowa Falls community for many years.
She possessed a sharp and curious mind, loved reading and never lost her desire to learn. Bridge was another lasting passion, with family estimating that she played close to a million hands during her lifetime.
Above all, Doris devoted herself to her family. She raised her children with love, compassion and discipline before happily spoiling her grandchildren—with her famously delicious brownies playing no small part.
In 2017, Doris left behind many treasured lifelong friends in Iowa Falls and moved to the Des Moines area to be closer to family.
She soon built another circle of friends at Deerfield Retirement Community, where she enjoyed sharing a glass of wine, playing bridge and learning Mah Jongg and Mexican Train.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought tremendous joy to her later years. Her family will remember Doris as an enduring source of inspiration—a woman who experienced profound losses but continued finding happiness through faith, determination and love for those around her.
Doris is lovingly remembered by her children, John (Elaine) Miller, Anne (Carl) Nolan and Jeffrey (Brenda) Miller; daughter-in-law Julie Miller; grandchildren Patrick (Marya) Miller, Adam (Tiffany) Nolan, Steven (Cortney) Nolan, Garrett (Breezy) Miller, Vanessa Miller (David), Marcus (Hannah) Miller, Jessica Miller and Jacob Miller; and great-grandchildren Doris, Alden and Roger Miller, Emma and Ella Nolan, Maxine and Jona Nolan, Cohen and Micah Miller, and Thomas Roman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and sons Steven and Edward “Ted” Miller.
Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Doris and her family. To read the original funeral-home obituary, please click here.
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