Frances A Martin Miller

Lifetime Tenino resident Frances Aleen “Tinker" Miller passed away at home on June 12, 2016. She was born in Tenino to Fred and Elma (Swigert) Martin on Dec. 12, 1925, and graduated from Tenino High School in 1944. While working as a secretary at Tenino Grade School, she met WWII veteran, Arnold Miller, a new teacher at the school. They married on June 1, 1946. Two daughters, Carol “Susee” Olin and Pam Wicklund completed the family. The Millers enjoyed camping, clamming, and all the various school activities.

Tinker loved gardening, digging razor clams, and canning, along with her talents for sewing, knitting and crocheting, but her greatest pleasure was creating beautiful and plentiful flower and vegetable gardens. No weeds allowed!

Tinker is survived by brothers Roger and Fred Martin, sisters Pat Boe, Jean Pettit and Mary (Steve) Webster, daughters Susee and Pam (Bob) Wicklund, along with grandchildren, Alissa (Chris) Smeaton, Eric (Amanda) Wicklund and Peter (Hannah) Wicklund. She was blessed with three great-grandsons, and two great-granddaughters—with one more to come. She is also survived by a large extended family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Arnie in 2006, as well as a brother, Robert Martin and grandson, Jeffrey Olin. At her request, a family graveside service will be held at Forest Grove Cemetery in Tenino on June 18. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Tenino Lions Club “Arnold and Tinker Miller” Scholarship Fund.