Maria Della Miller

MILLER, Maria Della, 59, passed away at the Adler Hospice Center in Aldie, Virginia, and is now in the arms of her Savior, Jesus. Faith and family were Maria's two strongest convictions. Born in Bruckenau, West Germany, Maria was given by God to Ben and Alvina Tellberg. They were loving parents who Maria loved and respected dearly. She was baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wildflecken, West Germany on July 28th, 1957, and went on the lead a devoted Christian life; attending Unity Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan where she was confirmed on May 16th, 1971. Maria was blessed to have four outstanding women in her life who she considered her true sisters: Linnea, Nancy, and Joyce Johansson, and Cathy Affield. Linnea and Nancy had the pleasure of experiencing Maria's joy, starting with her arrival in the Detroit Airport in August 1957. Together the Johansson sisters played with Maria during her formative childhood years. In 1987, Maria met Cathy, the wife of her closest cousin, Jeff Affield. Maria and Cathy bonded immediately and a sisterhood bond was created for life. Maria's extended family also includes two former Air Force individuals who Don worked with. Maria viewed them as a brother and sister. Bernie Delong, joined the family in 1984, while working with Don in Alaska; Diana Francois joined the family in 1990, while assigned to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The unprecedented bond between Maria and these individuals was created by God and will remain forever! Maria was blessed again in May 1973 to find the love of her life, Donald Miller. These high school sweethearts were joined by God in Holy Matrimony on June 13th, 1975, at Unity Lutheran Church and started their "First Day of Our Life Together" with the song, "There is Love." Even after 41 years of marriage, Don referred to Maria as "My Bride" and they could be seen holding hands whenever they were together. Together Don and Maria traveled throughout the world during Don's United States Air Force career. Maria started her nursing career in May, 1981; not only a career, but a passion, that allowed her to care for and help others. As a Registered Nurse, her rewarding career allowed her to touch the lives of many individuals across several medical fields: Labor and Delivery, Internal Medicine, Cardiac Intensive Care, and Allergy and Asthma. Maria loved to travel; God gave her the gift to be an unprecedented travel planner and activity coordinator. Together Maria and Don traveled and cruised throughout the world with family and friends. Her outgoing personality led to her and Don establishing close friendships with many people they met. In addition to travel, Maria was a devoted pet lover that centered on the dogs of our family. Maria cared, nurtured and cherished every one of the pets in her life. Maria became an avid Florida State Fan and supporter, starting in 1975. She consistently followed her team throughout the years, watching them capture 3 national championships, 18 division titles and 3 undefeated seasons. Maria also considered NASCAR as the only sport that recognized the value of being an American, the patriotism of the nation, and the respect for our military. She actively followed the NASCAR season on a weekly basis and the progress of her favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In 2013, Maria and Don began planning their retirement life together. They traveled the United States looking for that special spot where they could start the second phase of their life together. They settled on Arizona, and built their dream home. Maria designed and selected the interior furnishings for their future home, to accommodate the journey the two of them planned together. Maria is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Miller, and many loving family members and friends, who loved her very much. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Alvina Tellberg, and Donald's parents, Harold and Marion Miller. The family asks that you consider making a charitable donation in Maria's memory, to the following research and caregiver support organizations. American Cancer Society - https://donate3cancer.org, Concur Cancer Foundation - https://www.conquercancerfoundation.org, Our Savior's Way Lutheran Church in Ashburn, Virginia, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 - http://www.oswlc.org, Word of Life Lutheran Church, Surprise, Arizona, 17525 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 - http://www.wordoflifeaz.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Surprise Funeral Care, Surprise, Arizona. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 1:00 PM, at Surprise Funeral Care, 16063 W. Bell Road, in Surprise, Arizona. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 PM, on Saturday, January 14, 2017, with Pastor David Martin, from Word of Life Lutheran Church officiating. A Reception will immediately follow the service. Interment is scheduled at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM.To sign the guestbook online, and share your memories, send condolences and well-wishes to the family, please visit, www.surprisefuneralcare.com.