Bessie L. Miller, 101, of Austin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014, at her home.

Bessie Lealah Smalley was born Aug. 3, 1913, on the family farm in Mitchell County, Iowa, to Harrison H. and Nellie (Kirgus) Smalley. Bessie and her family moved to Osage, Iowa, when she was 1 year old. She attended country school in Mitchell County, Iowa. On March 24, 1931, she married William T. Miller at the Methodist Church in Austin. The couple lived on a farm near Toeterville, Iowa, until they moved to a farm near Lyle, Minnesota. In 1935, Bessie and William moved to Austin, Minnesota, and lived there for the rest of their married life. William passed away Feb. 23, 1992. Bessie was a busy homemaker, raising five children. A member of the Methodist Church since the age of 14, she belonged to the circle for many years, and also served as a den mother. Bessie was a woman with very strong principles.

Survivors include her son Don (Marlyce) Miller of Lakeland, Minnesota; her daughters: Donna (LaVern) Haas of Austin, Joan (Lee) Barington of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Patty (Larry) Mortenson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and Betty (Dave) Neus of Austin; 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 11 great great-grandchildren; her sister June Eskew of Sacramento, California; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harrison and Nellie Smalley; her husband William Miller; one grandson Michael Mortenson; her brother Harvey C. (Martha) Smalley; and seven sisters: Beryl (Louis) Mielke, Blanche (Clarence) Cottingham, Bertha (Herman) Graff, Beulah (Clayton) Jenkins, Dorothy (Roy) LaMaack, Bernice (George) Wilder, and Ruby (Able) Davis; brother-in-law Dick Eskew.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Austin with Pastor Marilee Benson officiating. Visitation will precede the service, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.