Theresa Marie Miller

Theresa Marie Miller, 89, of Atchison, KS, passed away peacefully at her home in Trinity, FL, on September 1, 2026, surrounded by her family in prayer. Mass of Christian burial will be on Monday October 5, 2026, at 11:00AM at St Benedict Church. The rosary will begin at 9:30AM at the church, followed by visitation at 10:00AM. Theresa will be laid to rest at Mt Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Mount St. Scholastica, St. Benedict’s Abbey, St. Benedict Parish, and/or Maur Hill-Mount Academy.

Theresa was born October 22, 1936, in Atchison, Kansas, to William “Bill” Wolters and Catherine Duncan Wolters. She was the eighth of ten children and attended the Catholic grade school and high school, graduating salutatorian of Mount St. Scholastica Academy in 1954. Her love of Atchison continued until the very end often sharing her vast and in-depth knowledge of cousins and all those connected to Atchison.

After graduating, Theresa spent some time discerning her future vocation. She initially attended Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College) and then entered the Mount St. Scholastica Convent for two years where she realized God had other plans. Theresa also had brief stints of employment at Pillsbury, Rockwell, and Sacred Heart grade school in Atchison and McCormick Distillery in Weston, Missouri. While at McCormick, she met her future husband Ray Miller of Bendena, Kansas.

Theresa and Ray were married on May 30, 1963, at St. Benedict’s Church in Atchison, Kansas. They raised nine children and were married for 63 years. They were members of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church.

Theresa had a very successful career as a full-time, stay-at-home mother of nine children. She was an exceptional woman of deep faith, wise guidance and unconditional love. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had an infectious spirit that included a love of laughter served up with a big smile and hug to anyone who was around her, often leaving those who encountered her feeling uplifted, cherished and loved.

After successfully raising nine kids, she split her time between Arizona, Florida and Kansas. Wherever she was, she was sure not to miss a game of her beloved Kansas City Chiefs. Go CHIEFS!

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters: Bill (Edna Mae) Wolters, Jr., John (Terry) Wolters, Phil Wolters, and Tom (Earlene) Wolters, Margaret Mary (Joe) Johannes, Gere (Jim) Greene, Catherine (Jim) Lahey. And on her husband’s side, she is preceded in death by one brother Gene Miller and four sisters: Genevieve (Ora) Meehan, Henrietta ‘Hank’ (Del) Fortney, Esther (Johnny) Saxton, and JoAnn (George) Sittenauer as well as a brother-in-law Al Bartkoski and a sister-in-law Donna Miller.

Survivors include her husband Ray and nine children: Joe (Liz) Miller, Ray Jr “Skip” (Traci) Miller, Dan (Peggy) Miller, John (Nikki) Miller, Angie (Jerry) Tuman, Joanie (Chris) Foster, Jeanie Miller, Greg (Jeni) Miller and Rob (Becca) Miller. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Nick (Kristi) Miller, BJ (Trianne) Miller, Colton (Ariana) Miller, Brooklyn Miller, Canyon Miller, Haley Miller, Jamie DeGoey, Jordan (Victoria) DeGoey, Lucas Tuman, Maddie Foster, Cody Foster, Keaton Miller, and Vaughn Miller; and seven great-grandchildren. Survivors include a sister and brother: Sr. Dorothy Wolters, OSB and Mike (Connie) Wolters; and one sister-in-law, Roberta Wolters. And on her husband’s side, survivors include two sisters Georgia Hampton and Alveria Bartkoski and two brothers Alfred (Pat) Miller and Don Miller and one sister-in-law Shirley Miller.

Theresa leaves a beautiful legacy of a large, loving family who deeply cherish her and all the wisdom she shared. She will live on in the hearts and minds of all of her loved ones and those she encountered.