Bonnie Joyce Miller

Our dear mother and friend Bonnie Joyce Miller (1936-2024) left this earth on July 29, 2024, in Olathe, Kansas at 88 years of age. She was preceded in death by her husband Les Miller, her son Matt Miller, and her parents, Lucille and Andy Holmquist. She is survived by 3 children, Mike Miller, Debbie Miller, Marty Miller, and her ten grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a great mother and grammy, who always seemed to find the right words or the perfect piece of sage advice.

Born in Amory, Mississippi, she was raised by her adoring mother and stepfather, Lucille and Andy Holmquist.

The defining event of her life would occur seventeen years later when working as a carhop at EC’s Drive-In in Miami, Oklahoma. A handsome, three-sport All-State athlete by the name of Les “Tinker” Miller sat in her section. As described by Joyce, her heart went “pitter-patter”, and they were rarely apart from that moment on. Within two years, they would marry, have their first child, and embark on a life of adventures revolving around athletics.

This would be the beginning of her primary role and focus, being a sports wife and mom. Over the next 60 years, Joyce spent countless summer days and fall nights in the bleachers of her husband’s, kids’, and grandkids’ sporting events. She rarely missed an opportunity to cheer for her loved ones. After high school, Joyce rooted as Les played football in college, played minor league baseball for the Yankees, and then coached high school and collegiate teams. Life would change in 1972 when Les became an NFL scout and executive. There were few places Joyce would rather be than at an NFL game, whether it was the Dolphins, Chiefs, Chargers, Rams, Browns, or Jaguars. Superstitious to a fault, she would repeat driving routes, outfits, and traditions all in the hopes of securing a victory for her beloved teams.

Throughout her marriage, she would move close to 20 times, including a brief stint in Europe. Her spunky personality, quick ability to make friends, and her sense of teamwork made her the perfect neighbor. Along all these stops, she made lifelong friends who would remain dear to her throughout her life.

A self-described sun worshipper, she loved vacations, which most of the time involved countless hours on the beach or lounging by the pool soaking up rays.

She was a meticulous decorator of her home especially on her favorite holidays, Christmas and the Fourth of July.

She enjoyed hosting family and friends, and her homemade tacos and double strength margaritas were legendary (for those who could remember them the next day). She was an amazing cook, despite never using a recipe. When orally handing down her favorite meals to family members, words like teaspoon and cup were replaced with more Joyce-like descriptions, such as “a pinch”, “some”, “quite a bit”, and “a sprinkle”. Hands down, her favorite ingredient was garlic, which her own mother said dominated every meal Joyce made.

Fiery and competitive, she wanted to win at everything she did, whether it was bocce ball, gin rummy, or fantasy football.

She had a timeless beauty with movie star good looks and a sense of fashion. She loved to shop and was an expert gift-giver, always seeming to find the perfect present for each friend and family member’s unique tastes.

We will miss her dearly but take comfort in knowing that she is laughing, competing, cooking, and enjoying an eternal holiday with those who preceded her as she awaits those who are still to come. The travels and adventures continue