Cheryl Miller

Dates

Obituary

Cheryl Miller, 78, of Plankinton, SD, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday, January 21, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Plankinton. Burial will be at Mizpah Cemetery in Plankinton. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Cheryl Rae Miller was born on March 23, 1946, to Arnold and Esther (Dethlefsen) Goepfert of White Lake, SD. After losing her mother while she was young, Cheryl was grateful to her older siblings and their spouses for their roles in raising her. She also appreciated all the guidance and support from her aunts.

Cheryl attended school in White Lake, SD, and received an associate degree in Elementary Education from Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD. She went on to get her bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Education. Her career began with teaching and living in Sioux Falls, SD, with dear friends. After teaching in several different schools, she spent many wonderful years teaching kindergarten and elementary music at the Plankinton Public School. As an interim principal, Cheryl worked tirelessly to maintain classes for the students following the school explosion. Cheryl enjoyed learning new skills and was happy to serve as the librarian and teach computer education at the new Plankinton School.

Cheryl married David Miller in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Plankinton, SD, on July 12, 1968. She supported Dave while he completed his service in the Vietnam War and returned to farm outside of Plankinton. Cheryl and Dave had a helicopter and enjoyed some big trips before having children.  Both were avid readers and enjoyed playing games and cards with close friends. They enjoyed animals and had many beloved pets. Cheryl took joy in adding people and their pets to her family circle.

Grateful for having shared in Cheryl’s life are her daughters, Carey (Brent Stille) Miller of Sioux Falls, SD, and Casey (John) Schmidt of Plankinton, SD; four grandchildren, Philip, Gabriel, Xavier, and Zita Schmidt, and Scott (Lori) Smith and Kelly (Jon) Lemig, and their daughters Alison and Elizabeth Lemig; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave (2018); daughter, Camille Miller (2001); parents, Arnold and Esther; three brothers, Arnold (Ruth McCormick) Goepfert, Jr., Earl (Vivian) Goepfert, and Henry (Jackie) Goepfert; sister, Ethel (Paul) Meier; a dear sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Marlene (Ron) Dodd and Rick Andersen; three nieces, three nephews and her in-laws, Herman and Muriel Miller.  

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