Valerie A. Miller

Valerie A. Miller, 69, of Buffalo Prairie, Illinois, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord, late Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, at UnityPoint Health–Trinity Rock Island after a brief battle with cancer.

Services are to be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services. There will be a catered lunch to be immediately following the service provided by CityView Celebrations on the lower level. Memorials may be made to the RI County 4-H or New Kingdom Trailriders.

Valerie Ann Miller was born July 21, 1952, at St Anthony's Hospital in Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Allen F. Miller Jr. and Florence (Nowack) Miller. She moved with her family to New Orleans for 11 years & then returned to Rock Island, graduating from Rocky High School. She later went on to earn a degree in Horse Science from Kirkwood Community College & a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western Illinois University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

She was employed at John Deere in the Foundry on River Dr, Moline in the 70's & early 80's & was a member of the UAW (United Auto Workers). She worked in the kitchen at both Trinity Hospital RI & the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Mary Monastery Milan. She also worked for University of Illinois EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program) for many years as a community educator, which she loved & was often known by her food name of "Sweet Pea". Her most recent job was as a field representative for the US Census Bureau. This was a job which she enjoyed very much & took a great deal of pride in doing, right up until her health issues started at the beginning of this year.

She was a life-long lover & owner of many horses, obtaining her first horse Marmalade at the age of only 14. In her teens & early 20's she loved to compete, showing & jumping her horses, earning many ribbons & pieces of silver. She continued to own & care for horses (and cats) her whole life. She also enjoyed growing & tending to veggies in her garden along with her many fruit trees. In her "off" time she liked to watch her favorite TV shows such as Star Trek, MASH, Wheel of Fortune & MeTV. But one of the greatest things she was know for was making canned goods including homemade jams & salsa to give away to friend, family, co-workers & loved ones alike. She will be missed by many.

Valerie is survived by two daughters, Brei (Ryan Tardy) Miller of Moline, and Alia Miller of New York; four grandchildren, Levi Miller, Hunter Miner, Lilyth Tardy, and Caydence Tardy; a sister, Vicki (Randy) Pearson of Moline; and a brother, Allen “Rick” Miller III of Houston. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.