Joyce Miller

Joyce May (Holmer) Miller peacefully passed away Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at her home in Hot Springs, S.D.  Until her final days, she embodied a spirit of adventure, joy and unwavering love for her children and grandchildren. We honor and express our gratitude for her long, beautiful life full of compassion, grace and kindness.
Joyce was a devoted mother to Jeff, Joni (Gary), Jacki and Jay (Jennifer) and grandmother to Jake, Lily, Jordyn, Riley and Caden.  She cherished her family and made each one of us her priority. She was a tower of strength, and many who knew her called her just that. She was kind to everyone and was loved by many.
Born May 13, 1930, in Milaca, Minn., Joyce (Holmer) Miller was the beloved daughter of William and Edyth Holmer and a sibling to nine brothers and sisters, Sheldon, Kenny, Bob, Jim, Marilyn, Jane and June.  Her surviving brother, Larry (Marilyn), (she was able to see on our recent road trip, which was truly a blessing.)
After graduating from Milaca High School, she moved to Rochford, Ill., where she attended college.  Joyce went on to pursue a successful banking career and then moved to Phoenix, Ariz., with some girlfriends. It was here where she met a handsome cowboy poet by the name of Roy Miller on a blind date and six months later, they eloped. They were married for 55 years, and it was truly a love match. He wrote many poems expressing his love for her.
Jeff and Joni were born in Arizona, but they wanted to be close to family, so they moved to South Dakota where Jacki and Jay were born.
Joyce worked hard her entire life.  After their move to Custer, S.D., she worked at the bank, cooked all the meals for JR Bar Ranch trail rides, (which she owned and operated with her husband Roy) all while raising four children.  Later she found a job she loved working as deputy of the register of deeds until retiring in 2000.
Joyce was known for her generosity and big heart.  We will miss her tremendously, but she lived an amazing life full of love.  We find comfort in knowing her legacy will live on through the many lessons she instilled in us and the memories we will cherish forever.
A service will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, at the historic Cold Spring School at 3 p.m. Celebration of Life to follow at the Pringle (S.D.) Fire Hall with light refreshments.
Donations can be made to the Pringle Volunteer Fire Department or the Hot Springs (S.D.) Ambulance Service.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.