Ellen Ann Miner

Ann is survived by her twin sister, Jan Brown; her children, Michael Miner, Katherine Miner, and Jay Miner; grandchildren Jocelyn Miner, Eric Miner, Lauren Miner, James Miner, and Joshua Miner; and great-grandchildren Layla Miner, Theodore Ridge, Poppy Ridge, June Miner, and Landon Miner.

Ann grew up in Kiowa, Oklahoma. She moved to San Diego in her early teens where she met Jim Miner. They married in 1958. Not long after, Jim's service with the U.S. Army took them to Frankfurt, Germany, where their first son, Michael, was born in 1960. They returned to San Diego in 1961, where their daughter, Katherine, and son, Jay, were born. In 1964, Ann and Jim moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, followed by Tempe, Arizona in 1966, then finally to Victorville, California in the summer of 1969.

Ann served as district chairman and troop leader for the Camp Fire Girls, president of the local chapter of the Children's Home Society of California, and co-manager of a local bicycle store with her husband. She was very active with Church of the Valley, Apple Valley, and was an Elder for the Youth group. In addition, she sang in the choir, played handbells and formed an ensemble called the Celebration Singers. She successfully organized a 24-hour bike marathon around the church grounds to earn money for a church bus.

Her faith guided her into leading "Divorce Recovery" workshops to help men and women recover from the trauma of divorce. Later, she led workshops at the Pacific Conference on Prayer and Healing with her second husband, Burt. In 1986, she was honored as Woman of Achievement by the Apple Valley Business and Professional Women, and, in 2024, was recognized by the Today’s Woman Foundation as a Woman of Excellence.

Ann earned her bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, at the age of 56. She also served as a worship leader at Green Valley Presbyterian in Las Vegas.

A founding member of S.W.I.M. (Support Women in Ministry), Ann lifted others up through spiritual mentorship, writing, and advocacy.

She marked her 70th birthday with a skydiving adventure over Lake Perris.

For 5 years, Ann volunteered as a "Citizen on Patrol" with the Apple Valley Police Department. Later, she volunteered as a Spiritual Ambassador at St. Mary's hospital, where she was blessed to pray for patients and their families.

Through caring for her second husband, Burt, Ann became a passionate advocate for those touched by Parkinson’s disease – both patients and caregivers. As a writer, her column, "Parkinson's Postings”, was featured in the Victor Valley Daily Press for 8 years. She would later write a book called "A Chat about Parkinson's" filled with words of hope and encouragement for those whose lives were affected by the disease. After Burt's passing, she met and married her third husband, Ron.

Ann was an active member of the High Desert Branch of the California Writers’ Club. Through that organization, she was published in several anthologies, mentored young writers, and served as a juror for the National Scholastic Writing Contest. Her published works include two inspirational books, two children’s books, and a memoir, A Childhood Remembered, with a second memoir in progress at the time of her passing.

Ann enjoyed travel and, having lived in Europe, had friends on the continent and visited several times. In 1983, she took her three adult children on a two-month sojourn (by car) to Europe. They visited family and friends in London, Denmark, and Germany, and visited much of central Europe. In 2018, her daughter took her on her first visit to Italy, where they enjoyed a leisurely time taking in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Como, Florence, and Milan. Her final international trip was a solo excursion to Costa Rica for her 85th birthday.

Above all, Ann cherished her family and felt so blessed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life was a wonderful example of faith in action. She will be remembered for her enthusiasm, humor, wisdom, and deep faith that touched many lives.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 2nd at 2pm at Church of the Valley, 20700 Standing Rock Ave, Apple Valley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.