Kim Miller 10/23/56 – 7/15/18
Kim LeAnn Muirhead Miller passed peacefully into God’s care early Sunday morning, July 15th, at her home in New Market, VA, with her husband Ron by her side.
Born to LeRoy and Shirley Muirhead on October 23, 1956, in Oberlin, KS, she was the second of three children. Her early years were spent in Oberlin and later Leoti, KS.
A daughter, Misty Melena, was born into her first marriage. After a divorce, she moved with Misty to Holdrege, NE, working at the Pizza Hut. There she met her future husband, Ron Miller. Ron and Kim were married in Kearney’s Harmon Park, on May 29, 1976.
Ron, Kim, and Misty made their early home in Blair, NE, where Ron was employed at Woodhouse Ford and Kim had the multi-role of mother, homemaker, wife, gardener, and waitress. On Oct 4, 1978, their son Brent was born.
In 1978 when Ron founded Auto Krafters, Inc., Classic Ford Restoration Shop and parts supplier, Kim helped him manage the new business as Vice President and Secretary. As the business grew, Ron and Kim along with Misty and Brent traveled throughout the Midwest attending numerous car shows and swap meets. Kim loved this family time together.
In 1987 Ron and Kim moved their family to the Shenandoah Valley. It was at this time that Kim began her deep interest in herbalism and nutrition. She studied with Dr. Bernard Jensen, DC, in California and studied and taught at Dream Time in Sperryville, VA, in 1998-2001. She also founded and operated Rainbow Images, a health food store in Broadway, VA, in 1997-98.
In 2007, Ron and Kim purchased a 42 acre farm in western Panama along the Rio Gariche, starting Finca Santa Marta S.A., an organic vegetable farm. Kim’s love for gardening was fully realized as she helped develop and transform the farm from a marginal cattle grazing operation into a productive organic farm, producing over 40 different crops along with free range chickens and grass-fed cattle.
In the fall of 2015 Kim attended the Graff Academy in Roswell, GA, to study and receive her certification as a raw food chef. She loved to create and make raw food dishes for family and friends and was happiest in the kitchen preparing healthy food for her family.
She was preceded in death by her father, LeRoy, her mother, Shirley, and her older brother, Kip.
She is survived by her husband Ron Miller, New Market, VA, and Santa Marta, Panama; her daughter Misty Miller and grandson David of Broadway, VA; and her son Brent Miller and partner Melissa, along with granddaughters, Addison and Clair of Harrisonburg. Other survivors include her brother Al Muirhead and partner Traci, of Alma, NE, and family; her sister-in-law Jun Muirhead and daughter Angie; brother-in-law Stan Miller and family; sister-in-law Elaine Martin and family; sister-in-law Carol Blauvelt and family as well as many dear friends.
There will be three Celebration of Life Services for Kim. In Virginia, the service will be held at the Grandle Funeral Home at 148 E. Lee St., Broadway, VA, at 4:00 pm Sunday July 29th. In Nebraska, the service will be held in Alma, NE, at the Johnson Center, 509 Main St. on Sunday August 5th at 4:00 pm. In Panama a service will be held later in August at a place and date to be determined.
Kim had requested that any Memorial donations be made to First Step, a shelter for abused women in Harrisonburg, VA.
Replies
Kim was a beautiful soul. Her smile -- and her Olympic-class hugs -- were a highlight of the Tuesday Market for me. I miss her so much.