Pauline Huston Miller
Pauline Huston Miller
Cedar Rapids
With the passing of Pauline Huston Miller, our family has lost our beloved matriarch and Cedar Rapids a community member who was a living part of the city’s history.
A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and longtime St. Jude’s Catholic Church parishioner, Pauline died the evening of Dec. 22 with her three children at her bedside. She had reached the age of 101.
Visitation is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Teahen Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Pauline was born April 14, 1922, at Mercy Hospital to Paul and Julia Huston. She was a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, as were her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. She was the widow of Harold Miller, who passed away in 2006.
Pauline’s grandfather, C.D. Huston, served as Cedar Rapids’ mayor and lived in a home, now beautifully restored, on First Avenue. Some of her favorite childhood memories involve her grandmother making oatmeal cookies there, with the delicious aroma and warm hugs greeting Pauline when she walked in the door. Pauline would continue the family tradition of doting on grandchildren throughout her long life.
She graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1939, and Coe College in 1943. She joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority during college. Her sisters, Mary Margaret (Bud) and Jane, also attended Coe and were Alpha Xi’s, as well. This tremendous trio were known for their beauty, intellect and involvement in campus life.
Pauline lettered in field hockey and participated in too many other activities to list. But the sorority held a special place in her heart, with Pauline remaining an active alumna for more than 70 years. In addition, she was a dedicated PEO member for over 50 years.
She met Harold Miller, the love of her life, while in college. They married in 1944. Like most in the couple’s generation, Harold served his country during World War II. He was a radioman for the U.S. Navy, which meant he went ashore with the Marines during some of the conflict’s fiercest battles in the Pacific. Pauline remained on the home front, drawing strength during this fraught time from her parents, her sisters Bud and Jane, and her Alpha Xi sisters.
She worked at Cargill, French-Stamats and Iowa Electric Light and Power as a secretary before she became a mother to three children: Kathleen, Daniel and Julie. Pauline was also an able, polished partner to Harold as he finished his engineering degree at the University of Iowa, then built a long, successful career at Howard R. Green in Cedar Rapids.
The home Pauline and Harold built on 31st Street Northwest served as the extended family’s hub for holidays and other gatherings for over 50 years. Pauline and Harold’s romance never flagged over their long lives, with colossal bouquets of roses arriving with each anniversary. The couple also had the heartwarming habit of leaving each other a short, loving note — usually placed on the kitchen table — to let the other know of their expected return after running errands or playing golf.
Pauline’s Catholic faith was a driving force in her life. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in her youth and remained an active member of St. Jude’s until her passing.
Pauline was a lifelong follower of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost things. An accomplishment that she was particularly proud of: forming the St. Anthony’s Study Club. These 16 women met monthly for over 50 years. They studied, prayed, enjoyed each other’s company and did volunteer church work. Pauline was the group’s last surviving member.
Pauline will be remembered for the thousands of greeting cards she sent. She rarely, if ever, missed a friend or loved one’s birthday. She was a fierce competitor at card games and Scrabble and loved teaching younger generations to play. She continued to enjoy a win throughout her life and didn’t cut anyone any slack, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pauline was loving aunt to her sister Jane Carson’s five children and maintained loving relationships with Harold’s siblings and their families long after his death. Family friendships with the Gallaghers, the Zamastils and the Leichsenrings spanned a lifetime and brought her great joy.
Pauline is survived by her three children: Kathleen (Willie) Jungling of Anoka, Minnesota.; Daniel (JoAnn) Miller of Ames, Iowa; and Julie (Jim) Schnoebelen of Cedar Rapids.
Survivors also include her grandchildren: Jill Burcum, Josh Jungling, Kami Nys, Benjamin Miller, Christopher Miller, Erin Watts, Jacob Miller, Ann Baggett, Zachary Schnoebelen, Joy Schnoebelen and Grant Schnoebelen.
She had 13 great-grandchildren: Alex and Elizabeth Burcum; Caleb, Rowan and Logan Jungling; Isabelle and Charlotte Watts; Anya and Evie Miller; and MacKenzie and Harper Miller; Kate Miller; and Lucille Baggett.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her sisters, and her parents.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, the Red Cross or the organization of one’s choice.
Pauline will be missed and leaves behind so many happy memories. She loved her family, friends and her hometown. She lived a long, full life and will continue to serve as an inspiration to those she leaves behind. We are grateful for her time with us and take comfort knowing she is with Harold and her sisters again this holiday season.