Mary Kay Miller

Mary Kay (Vennum) Miller, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully with her family at her side at the age of eighty-one after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Mary Kay was Born January 31, 1942, raised in Fort Dodge, IA.

She met the love of her life, David, and they were married in 1963. Their family grew to include three boys and a family dog named Muggsy. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother and coaching gymnastics and was also a certified gymnastics judge. The family enjoyed travel to Canada, Florida and numerous other destinations. She enjoyed watching her children (and later grandchildren) participate in many sports including gymnastics, racquetball, bowling, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball.

The family relocated from Waterloo, IA to Rockford, IL in 1978. Mary Kay delayed her college experience to raise their family and started her own career path when her boys were also college-age. She earned her Associates degree from Rock Valley College and became a Certified Tumor Registrar working full time at Rockford Memorial Hospital's Cancer Registry for over 30 years. She and David enjoyed traveling to Florida to visit her parents and later vacationing in Aruba. Together, they made many great memories as well as new friends. After retirement, Mary Kay enjoyed spending more time with family, crafting, playing piano, watching her grandchildren grow up and the wildlife playing in her backyard.

Mary Kay was a kind and gentle spirit who cared for everyone and loved to learn and teach new things. She loved interacting with her grandchildren at all stages of their lives and they enjoyed her very much. She was known for creating the most fun games from simple things and beating everyone in the family's traditional card game known as "Blitz."

Mary Kay is predeceased by her parents David "Bud" and Fern Vennum as well as her beloved older sister Deanna who died very young from polio.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, David C. Miller, Sr.; three sons David Jr. (Laurie), Darren (Tina) Miller; and Daniel J. Miller; grandchildren Ryan, Joey, Cassie, and Maggie Miller.

Special friends to include Diane Aaby, Joyce Benson, and Paula Swanson.

The family wishes to thank Visiting Angels, OSF Palliative Care/Hospice, and Alden Debes Hospice Unit for their loving care and support. A celebration of life event for family and friends will be announced at a later date. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com