Doris Elaine Miller, 95, Velva, formerly of Alexandria, MN, died on May 30, 2025 in a Velva Care Center.
Doris Elaine Miller was born on July 31, 1929 in Wadena, Minnesota to Matt and Manda Hansen. As the second eldest of four children, Doris grew up on farms in Sebeka, Donnelly, and Hoffman, Minnesota, where she graduated from High School with the class of 1948. While growing up, Doris was very social. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and even through her dementia, could come up with the most perfect one-liners.
After completing public school in Hoffman, Doris earned her LPN degree in Minneapolis, and also attended the Lutheran Bible Institute. During her career in nursing, Doris served hospitals in Phoenix, Arizona; Amery, Wisconsin; and Alexandria, Minnesota. Shortly after graduating from nurses training, Doris was set up on a blind date with Wallace Miller. They married on July 9, 1953, at Lands Lutheran Church in Hoffman and made their first home in Amery, Wisconsin, where they welcomed two children: Rhoda and Arden. In the late 1950’s they moved to Alexandria, Minnesota, and in 1983 they opened the Scandinavian Gift Shop in downtown Alexandria. During their 61 years of marriage, Doris and Wally enjoyed many trips to Europe, Arizona, and bus tours throughout the United States. In 2011, the couple sold their store and moved into Grand Arbor in Alexandria. They both remained active in the community until Wally’s passing in 2014. After his death, Doris still enjoyed meeting with her friends for coffee and liked spending time with her family. In early 2021 she moved to Velva, ND.
During her lifetime, Doris was a master quilter and gardener. She made many beautiful gifts and could make anything grow and flourish – whether it was in her garden or in her home. She was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church, and a member of Sweet Adelines, the Doris Club, GFWC Zetetic Club, and Sons of Norway. Doris liked to do most everything – knitting, Norwegian hardanger, oil painting, baking Norwegian Kranse Kake, sewing Norwegian curtains, teaching sewing classes, and even doctoring broken dolls. In 1960, Doris enrolled in a Doll Hospital School correspondence course and obtained her certificate in Doll Technology, opening “Dorie’s Doll Hospital”.
She was proud of her heritage and remained in contact with many family members overseas throughout her lifetime. Doris passed away at her home in Velva, North Dakota on Friday, May 30, 2025 and will be missed by family, friends, and caretakers. She is survived by: Rhoda (Jim) Hagen of Velva, ND, Arden Miller of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Andrew Hagen of Duluth, MN, Matthew (Katie) Hagen of Bismarck, ND, and Eric Hagen of Deltona, FL; great-granddaughters: Clara, Kate, and Lauren Hagen of Bismarck, ND; sister, Bernette Clausen of Northfield, MN; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Manda Hansen; Husband, Wallace Miller; and brothers: Lawrence Hansen and Harold Hansen.
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