Kristine Ann "Kris" Miller PhD

On the morning of July 27, 2016, Kristine Anne Lantz Miller, 68, of Missoula, MT, passed away at St. Patrick Hospital after a courageous eight year battle with cancer.
Kris was born on July 23, 1948, in Kearney, Nebraska, to Alford and Minnie Lantz. As a young girl she lived with her family on West 24th Street and attended Kearney Catholic Schools. She went on to Kearney State College where she earned her teaching degree. Kris was first employed at Mid Nebraska Vocational Services in Kearney working with disabled adults. After moving to Missoula, Montana in 1974, Kris was employed by Missoula County High Schools where she remained for the next forty years retiring in 2014. During her career in education Kris returned to school to earn her Master’s Degree from Kearney State College, and eventually a Doctorate in Education from the University of Montana. Earning her Doctorate in 2005 was the achievement of a lifelong goal for Kris, who did not not take any time away from her classroom job while completing her graduate level work. Teaching and her students were Kris’ true passions.
On August 31, 1969, she married Samuel Miller in Kearney, Nebraska. Kris and Sam also started their own small business, Kid’s Stuff which operated from 1985 to 2006. She was a lifelong member of the MEA and was active in supporting the arts, especially community based musical theater, which she adored.
Kris enjoyed skiing with her family, golfing, watching musical theatre, camping, shopping with her dear friend Ceil, traveling with Sam to places like Hawaii and the west coast. Kris and Ceil became marathoners in 2012 and continued to master marathons and other race events to support charity. She also enjoyed visiting and gathering with family from across the country at family reunions. Another great joy was her annual get together with grade school friends in places like San Antonio, Missoula, and most recently in Breckenridge.
A loving wife and mother, she also took great loving care of her friends, former students, and colleagues. Survivors include her husband, Samuel, Missoula; two sons Jason (Sandi) Miller, Madison, Wisconsin, and Cort Miller, Missoula; one brother, Alford Lantz, Lincoln, Nebraska; along with her Aunt Mildred, Omaha, Nebraska; and many cousins, all of whom she remained close with between family reunions.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Kurt Lantz.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Garden City Funeral Home with a reception immediately following. During her long fight with cancer Kris became a regular participant in Missoula area charitable fun races. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in to Run Wild Missoula, PO Box 1573, Missoula MT 59806 in the name of Kristine Miller. Run Wild Missoula will forward all contributions made in Kris’s name to Team Up Montana’s Cancer Compassion Fund, a part of the Providence Montana Health Foundation, dedicated to offering direct financial assistance for prevention, education and treatment resources for cancer patients.