Donna M Miller

Donna Mae Onken Miller, 87, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, in Grand Junction, CO, after a 10-year journey with dementia. She faced her illness with quiet strength and grace, and she remained surrounded by love throughout her final years. She will be remembered for her faith in God and her devotion to her family.

Donna was born May 31, 1938, in Trenton, Iowa and grew up in the Los Angeles area. She met her future husband, Mel Miller, while working at a travel agency, and together they raised five kids, having the first four in Norwalk, with the fifth coming soon after their move to Bakersfield in 1973. Donna had a 30-year career with Continental Telephone. Once retired, traveling became a big part of her life. She was blessed with health for many years, able to take multiple cruises, and travel with a travel group and sometimes family to Alaska, Ireland, Germany, Thailand, Italy, and the Holy Land, just to name a few. She was a long-time attendee and dedicated volunteer of Grace Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, led the youth group, sang in the choir, and served on the Ladies Guild and church council. Donna was a faithful Christian and a strong family matriarch who took joy in being a wife, mother and grandmother, and was a true friend to many. She will be greatly missed.

Donna is survived by four of her five children: son Trent and daughter-in-law Suzette Miller; son Tom and daughter-in-law Lilly Miller; daughter Tracy and ex-son-in-law Shawn Mills; daughter Teresa and son-in-law Brian Brossard; and son-in-law Shaun McKeown; grandchildren Brandon, Brittney, Breanne and Bryant Miller; Conner and Carly Mattern; Andrew & Kristin Miller and Andrea & Bryan Pfeiffer; Corryn & Kaleigh Bourgeois and Conley Mills; and Christopher Brossard; great-grandchildren Austin, Parker, and Madison Miller; Remy, Reese & Rhodes Miller; and Julia Bourgeois.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Emerson & Velda Onken; her husband Melvin Miller; brothers Dean and Dwayne Onken and sister Della Dufau; and daughter Tammy McKeown.

Funeral Arrangements:

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the spring at Grace Lutheran Church in Bakersfield, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or your favorite charity. Her family is deeply grateful to the caregivers, nurses, and staff who supported her with patience and tenderness throughout her illness. Condolences can be sent to the family c/o Teresa Brossard at 2332 Brass Boot Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505.