Lorraine Helen Miller

Lorraine Helen Miller was born December 7, 1923, in Rapelge, Montana. She was born to Harvey Halverson and Clara (Johnson) Halverson and was the fourth of six children. Her parents homesteaded in Rapelge in 1916. The family was part of the Church of the Truth also known as the Fellowship, a faith in which Lorraine participated the whole of her life. The family moved to Belgrade, Montana when Lorraine was 10.

An adventurous and active youth, Lorraine spent her childhood walking on barrels, riding horses, swimming in the river (though she didn’t learn to swim until she was in her thirties), ice skating, and being a drum majorette

Lorraine turned 18 on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. This event would lead her to move to an area near the Fort Lewis Army base to work. In 1943, Lorraine met Herb working in the shipyards in Tacoma, Washington and they were married in Chewelah, Washington in 1944. The couple had two daughters: Sherri in 1944 and Cindy in 1949. The Millers moved to Spokane in pursuit of work and Lorraine started a daycare. Later, neighbor, Jim Heinz, whom Lorraine had cared for in her daycare, became part of the Miller family upon the death of Jim’s father.

In the early 60’s, Lorraine earned her GED and began studies in typing, beginning carpentry, and stained glass. Then in 1965 Lorraine became a self-taught X-Ray technician at Deaconess Hospital and worked there until 1972. She retired early to care for her husband, Herb, after he had a serious accident in 1969. In 1970, they purchased the home the family most remembers in Greenacres. There Herb tended his cows and chickens, and Lorraine started her stained glass and quilting hobbies.

Upon Herb’s death in 1996, Lorraine’s daughter, Sherri, moved out to Greenacres and they continued to live in that house until 2022. In 2022 they moved to Orchard Crest and then moved again in 2024 to Fairwood Retirement Community to be closer to family.

Lorraine passed peacefully on April 4, 2026, at the young age of 102. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herb Miller, her son, Jim Heinz, and her grandchildren, Paul Adams and Renee (Heinz) Devore. Lorraine is survived by her children: Sherri Adams Cindy (Buck) Koerper, and Kathy (Pat) Davis; her grandchildren: John Adams, Brent (Kim) Heinz, Troy (Erin) Koerper, and Dustin (Kara) Koerper; her great-grandchildren: Courtney (Matt), Kiara, Lindsey, Sam, Neila, and Teige; great-great-granddaughter: Shanlee and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205, US, on April 16, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am.  

A Funeral Service will be held at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205, US, on April 16, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:45 am.  

A Committal Service will be held at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205, US, on April 16, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.