Jeanne Lorraine Miller

Jeanne had just reached her 95th birthday a few days before, and was in the care of the Richard Nau Hospice House in Longview, Washington, when she passed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas F. Miller, and her parents, Howard and Leona Ericson, of Underwood, Washington. She is survived by her children, Bruce, Chrystal, Tammy and Brian; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; her sister, Bette Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born on February 15th, 1930, in Portland, Oregon, Jeanne grew up in Underwood, Washington. She attended primary school in Underwood, and then elementary and High School, in White Salmon Washington. Throughout her school years, she was involved in many clubs and activities, both in and out of school, and took leadership roles whenever she could. While growing up, she was kept busy helping her father, Howard, with the family ranch. She often said she was her father’s “boy” as he taught her hunting, fishing, skiing, and many other outdoor skills. She helped her mother, Leona, with housekeeping, as well as learning to cook and sew. She also learned to play the piano and flute from her parents, who were both accomplished classical musicians. She played the flute in the high school band, as well as in the Hood River Symphony, alongside her father. She continued a love of music throughout her life.

After graduation from high school, Jeanne attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was on the staff of the college paper, played in the school pep band, and sang in the women's chorale. While at Whitman, she met her future husband, Douglas Miller. Although still in school, they secretly eloped and were married on March 15th, 1951, returning to school for a brief time before leaving, to take up residence in Doug's hometown of Camas, Washington, where they remained throughout their lives. They were married for 59 years before Doug passed away on June 2nd, 2010.

Soon after moving to Camas, Jeanne began a career in the small town, working part-time as secretary for various lawyers for a few years, until being offered dual positions of Camas Municipal Court Clerk and Clark County District Court Clerk in 1974. She continued working in these positions for 17 years, until retiring in December, 1990 at the age of 60.

Outside of her work and homelife, she was a big sports fan. There was always a game or some type of sport on the television. She really grew to be a big fan of NASCAR, and especially Greg Biffle, who was a local boy she’d known as a teenager, and she supported throughout his career. She also had season tickets to the Portland Winterhawks hockey team for many years, frequently attending games with her friends, and even once getting hit in the head by a hockey puck while in the stands, which gave her a great story she loved to tell. She shared her love of the team with her grandchildren, taking them to games as well.

Besides being an avid spectator, she was always involved with playing sports herself and was very competitive. She bowled in both women's and mixed team leagues, being on one of the top women's teams in Camas, for many years. During the summer, she was active in women’s fast pitch softball, and was the pitcher for her team well into her 60’s. She and Doug were also members of the Camas/Washougal Wildlife league, the Camas Moose lodge, and Orchard Hills Golf Club for over 40 years, and besides the golfing they enjoyed, they spent much time socializing with their many friends there or bringing family for a special night out to dinner at the club dining room. Jeanne loved being out with everyone and having a good time. She also was active with providing opportunities for her children to be involved with sports teams, scouting and other activities.

Back at home, the kitchen was a center of the household, and when there wasn’t a meal happening, she and Doug could often be found playing cribbage, or other card games, for quarters at the kitchen table. Jeanne’s competitiveness was apparent when every quarter lost drew some choice words from her, and a chuckle from Doug. Of course, when she was winning, Doug would announce loudly from the kitchen, “your mother is stealing all my quarters!” and Jeanne would be the one laughing!

Jeanne also loved working outside and spent many, many hours caring for the backyard and her flowers. This space was where the family enjoyed much time, especially in the summer. When she had grandchildren, she took much joy in helping to care for them and was dearly loved by them all. Being “Grandma” was something she loved very much and her devotion to them was apparent all the time. While she enjoyed life in many ways, and had many friends to spend time with, family was at the center of her life, and she was the center of her family.

Although we are very saddened by her loss, we are comforted in knowing she lived a very long and full life. She had many friends and family who gave her joy, and to whom she gave joy, and she will be remembered with much love and affection by us all. May she rest in peace.

Memorial services for Jeanne will be held Saturday, August 30th, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with a reception to be held afterwards until 4:30 PM, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, located at 520 W. Powell Blvd. in Gresham, OR 97030 (see service announcement below).