Dena Rae Miller

Dena Rae Miller, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, peacefully passed away Monday, March 2, 2026 at home in the loving care of her family and MercyOne Hospice. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 AM Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass in the church. Inurnment will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow.

Dena was born June 8, 1940, in Savanna, the daughter of Harold “Ted” and Blanche (Smith) Douglas. She attended Savanna schools with the Class of 1958.

She began dating the love of her life, Walter “Walt” Miller upon his return from his time in the Airforce. On April 16, 1957 Dena and Walt were married. They raised two children, Leann and Colette, and celebrated 68 years of marriage.

Dena worked for many years in the local drugstore, first at Hogan’s Drugstore and later at Stout’s Pharmacy—where she served for decades as a pharmacy technician. She retired in 2007.

Her greatest loves, beyond Walt, were her family and the simple pleasures that made life bright. She delighted in antiquing and shopping, gardening and flowers, and crafting jewelry. Dena’s creativity and eye for small treasures helped make family outings into lasting memories. She was an enthusiastic aunt, mother and grandmother who passed along a love of finding special things and of spending time together.

Dena is survived by her husband, Walter “Walt” Miller of Savanna; her daughters, Leann (Danny Joe) Themas of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Colette Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her grandsons Eric (Katelyn) Themas and David Cox; and six great-grandchildren, Leonardo, Jack, Leeland and Tucker Themas, Jagger and Jensen Cox. She was also devoted to her beloved dog, Chloe, a constant companion. She was preceded in death by her brother, John “Jack” Douglas, and two sisters, Renee Bogue and Sally Salazar.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to the staff of MercyOne Hospice, especially Brittany and Carrie, whose compassion and care made Dena’s final months gentler for her and for her family.