Marie Peterson Miller was born on December 15, 1953, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the fourth of eight children to Howard and Barbara (O’Boyle) Peterson.
The family moved west to Idaho soon after her birth, settling in Sandpoint, where Howard’s parents owned a large homestead farm on Oden Bay of Lake Pend Oreille. She grew up in her grandfather’s house on Church Street in Sandpoint.
Marie had countless happy memories working on the farm and spending time fishing and playing on the lake at Grandpa Ole’s farm with all her siblings.
She graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1972 and soon after moved to Coeur d’Alene to attend North Idaho College. Determined and independent, Marie worked hard to proudly pay her own way through school.
She found work in Sandpoint and later moved to Bonners Ferry, where she met and married Tony Miller. Together they made their home on a property in Crossport, where they spent their marriage building and improving their homestead.
Marie returned to school at the University of Idaho, where she earned a degree in Special Education. She used her degree in a number of schools over the years before shifting to her next passion as a CNA at the Bonners Ferry Extended Care Unit. Marie was a natural caregiver. She always went out of her way to help people who were unable to help themselves, and if she saw a wrong, she would fight for them as well.
She loved to learn and share her knowledge with others. She made fast friends and found so much joy in going to work each day and caring for her special friends.
During this time she raised their two children, Bill and Angela—her greatest joy and constant source of pride. As they grew and had children of their own, Marie cherished her role as a grandmother. She was an amazing grandma who loved to craft and do projects with her grandchildren.
She enjoyed her garden parties with them and took great pride in their entries in the county fair. Marie and her husband Tony never missed a dance recital or sporting event. Those who knew Marie knew her generous heart, which extended to animals as well. Her dogs were always spoiled, and if she came across a stray it would be brought home without question.
She loved her garden, the occasional pig, and even a rescued a calf or two. Marie loved art and painting, a passion she passed down to her grandchildren. She also enjoyed knitting and sewing, creating beautiful quilts and afghans that she often gifted to family and friends.
She took art classes over the years and joyfully followed along with Bob Ross on TV. She had a lifelong love of photography—so enthusiastic at times that the camera often suffered the consequences, drowning several and burning through even more. “You do what you have to, to get that special shot,” she would say.
She enjoyed big family meals on holidays and walking on beaches, always finding peace near the water. Marie was always busy with something, but she would make time for anyone who needed it. Though she left us too soon, Marie’s generous heart, creativity, and love for family will continue to live on in those who knew her.
Marie is survived by the love of her life Tony Miller, son Bill, daughter Angela (Tom), children of her heart, Ronny (Kathy), Rhonda (Mike), Kris (Andy), Duke, Brandi and Patti, grandchildren Tony, Madalyn, Isabel and Charlie and Doug and Cody, siblings Howard (Gloria) Peterson, Wasilla, Alaska, Carol (Gary) Vandenburg, Sandpoint, JoAnne (Mike) Jones, Ukraine, and Marty Peterson and Cindy (Al) DeSalles, Kona, Hawaii.