Mary Ellen (Tuberty) Miller, 92, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

Mary Ellen was born April 2, 1927, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to John and Nellie Tuberty. She grew up on their farm near Twin Lakes, Minnesota, and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1944. She worked as a secretary in Albert Lea. Minnesota, before enrolling in the University of Minnesota, graduating from the U of M, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, in 1949. She continued her education, earning graduate credits from Mankato State University, University of Minnesota Duluth, and the University of Arizona in Tucson.

She combined her love of travel and learning and participated in two international study programs – one in Japan in 1974 and another in Europe in 1995.

She married G.Donald Miller on Sept. 9, 1950, and resided on the family farm near Oakland, Minnesota, until her later years.

Mary Ellen worked for 25 years as a University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Mower County, retiring in 1989. She received numerous awards for her work, including the National Association of Extension Home Economists Distinguished Service in 1976, MN Extension Director Award for Distinguished Faculty Service in 1988, Mentoring Award of the MN Pi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Extension Service Fraternity in 1996, and was recognized as one of the 100 Honorees for U of M, College of Home Economics in 2000.

Her hobbies included sewing, needle and fiber arts, painting, raising Jacob sheep and collecting and restoring antiques. Her personal travel included visits to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Nepal, Malaysia, China and frequent winters in Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Miller; her parents, John and Nellie Tuberty; and her sister, Kay Hannan. She is survived by her four children, David, Dan (Ai-Chin), Ann (Jerry) Shaw and Sheila (Rod) Miller; and five grandchildren, Jenna, Josh, Corey, Cynthia and Ashley.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at Chandler Place Assisted Living in St. Anthony, Minnesota.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.