Agnes Karen MILLER

Feb. 14, 1942
Jun. 21, 2013

Agnes Karen Miller, 71, was born February 14, 1942 in Kirksville, MO. She passed away Friday, June 21, 2013 at Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City, MO.

Karen was born with Cerebral Palsy, so life was a little harder for her than most, but she was a fighter and even though it took her a little longer to do things, she never gave up. Due to the teasing of her big brother, Kermit, she learned to walk at the age of six. She had to wear braces on her legs and then eventually used a wheel chair. She was hard to understand when she spoke but if you took the time to listen and talk to her, she was your friend for life. Her parents, Hubert and Lavina Miller moved her to Kansas City when she was 8 years old so she could attend a special school for the handicapped, which she did for 8 years.

Karen was fun to be around. Her nephews, Jimmy & Randy and her niece, Brenda grew up with her. They watched TV together, played games and just had fun anytime they were together. Karen would even let them play with her wheel chair, popping wheelies and stuff. If they teased her a little too much, Karen would pull their hair to get the three of them back in line.

Karen was quite the artist, she loved to draw horses. She also loved dogs, fishing, country music (especially Charlie Pride), and shopping. She had her own money and liked to spend it. Her family would go to the store and before they were ready, she would take off so fast in her wheel chair they practically had to run to keep up with her. They would turn around for a second and she would be on her way down the next aisle looking for her next treasure.

Her parents made sure she had the best care possible and tried to give her as normal a life as possible. They took her on several vacations. Her two favorite trips were to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she played in the ocean and to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Her family moved to Lowry City, MO in the early 1980's. She lived at home until the passing of her mother in 1994. Because her father was in poor health and not able to care for her by himself Karen then became a resident of Truman Lake Manor for the next 20 years.

Karen loved being at Truman Lake Manor. She made friends with the other residents and the employees. Her favorite employee at Truman Lake was Marti Norris. She attended church services weekly with Pastor Jeff Ferguson, participated in the activities at TLM and enjoyed the special music performances and visits from the school children.

The older she got the more care she needed. The last few years of her life were not the best due to her physical decline, but she received excellent care from the staff at Truman Lake and they were with her until the end. Karen was one of God's special children and the family believes that anyone who treated her as such will get an extra jewel in their crown.

She was preceded in death by both her parents and her brothers, Kermit Miller and Keith Miller. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Louise Miller of Lowry City, MO, two nephews, James Miller and wife LeaAnn of Nevada, MO, Randy Miller and wife Valerie of Lowry City, MO and one niece Brenda Quick and husband Gene of Lowry City, MO as well as several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Photo(s) Contributed by Larry and Susan Olson lolson60@cableone.net

Contributed on 6/5/15 by tslundberg
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Record #: 771439

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