Janice J. Miller

Janice Joy Miller was born on November 16, 1939, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Eugene “Snooks” and Lola (Ganow) Engle, the second of six children. She passed away peacefully at her home in Exeter on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with breast cancer, at the age of 85 years, 10 months, and 28 days. As a young girl, Janice loved going to the library, movies, swimming, and attending parades. When she was 10, the family moved from Grand Island to Exeter. Janice attended Exeter Public Schools and graduated in 1957. While in high school, she enjoyed countless movies and school dances with close friends June, Judy, Susan, and Donna. They became lifelong friends. Janice met John C. Miller when he joined Exeter Public Schools as a freshman. They dated throughout high school and were united in marriage on April 11th, 1959. John & Janice were blessed with 4 children: Pam, John R., Janet, and Cathie. John and Janice made their home in rural Exeter. Janice embraced life as a farmwife, always ensuring a hot meal was ready and providing transportation from field to field. She found joy in gardening, canning, freezing, sewing, baking, and welcoming family and friends into their home. Later, she worked as a substitute cook at Exeter Public Schools, where she would sneak her grandkids extra cookies. Speaking of cookies, she was known far and wide for her decorated sugar cookies and delicious chocolate chip cookies! Everyone wanted a ‘Grandma Cookie!’ She was very proud to teach her grandkids and great-grandkids her special recipe that included 12 shakes of salt, with the extra special hip shakes. Janice enjoyed playing bridge, tending to her flowers, family campouts, sewing masks during COVID, and creating personalized birthday and anniversary cards for her family. Her greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved reading and singing special songs with the little ones. As all the kids got older, she could always be found cheering them on at every activity, sometimes attending three to four events in a single day. Later, when she could not attend in person, she watched online. Janice was also an avid Husker fan; if the Huskers were playing, she was listening or watching, no matter the sport. Janice was a member of Exeter Methodist Community Church for more than 50 years. She served in numerous leadership and fundraising positions at church for many years. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John C. Miller, Exeter, NE; her children, Pam Northup (Tom), Grand Island, NE, John R. Miller (Sheila), Exeter, NE, Janet Riepe (Doug), Spring Hill, KS, and Cathie Boyle (Bob), Crete, NE; 14 grandchildren: Janelle Williams (Clint), Dana Myers (Matt), Nick Northup (Amber), John D. Miller (Kilee), Chris Northup (Allyson), Jennifer Riepe, Jake Miller (Macy), Chelsea Thiem (Takota), MiKayla Jansen (Ben), Kirk Riepe (Kaylee), Riley Nichols (Amanda), Bridgette Nichols, Caitlynn Boyle, and Jayden Boyle; 22 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Sandy Bock (Larry), David City, NE and Glenda Cole (Dick), Columbus, NE; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Miller, Leland, NC and Denise Engle, Victoria, TX; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Lola Engle; grandson, Evan Riepe; parents-in-law, John O. and Melba Miller; sister, Donna Repenn; brothers, Jim and Fred Engle; brothers/sisters-in-law, Alan Miller, Don Bock, Sharon & Ken Harre, and Iola Engle; and a great friend/cousin Darlene Harders. A Funeral Service for Janice was held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Exeter Methodist Community Church in Exeter, Nebraska. Pastor Murry Johnston presided over the Funeral Service. The congregational hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” was sang by the congregation. Takota Thiem provided special music and sang “Amazing Grace.” The recorded selections “One Day At A Time” and “I Can Only Imagine” were also played during the service. Pallbearers included Nick Northup, John D. Miller, Chris Northup, Jake Miller, Kirk Riepe, Riley Nichols, and Jayden Boyle. Honorary pallbearers included Janelle Williams, Dana Myers, Jennifer Riepe, Chelsea Thiem, MiKayla Jansen, Bridgette Nichols, and Caitlynn Boyle. Special Honorary Pallbearer was Evan Riepe (dec.) A Graveside Service was held in the Exeter Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

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Janice J. Miller

November 16, 1939 - October 14, 2025