Ruth Bark Miller

Edeltraut Ruth Miller passed away on the 7th of December at home, in Providence, Utah. She was 89 years old. 

Edeltraut was the name given to her at birth in Germany. In the US she was known by many as Ruth.

For the last 8 years of Edeltraut’s life, she endured Alzheimer’s and dementia with grace and dignity. She is now cruising the ports of heaven with the love of her life Gene W. Miller.

The family of Edeltraut would like to acknowledge the caregivers, aids, nurses who were such a blessing. Their continued dedication, care, love, and amazing service to Ruth allowed her to pass peacefully in her home. 

Edeltraut's second home was her lakefront cabin in Garden City, Utah, Bear Lake.  All her children and grandchildren were just a step away. 

Edeltraut was born on October 4, 1934, in East Prussia, Germany Domnau, Kreis Bartenstein, Ostpreussen, which is now Russia. She was the only daughter of Fritz and Edith Bark. Edeltraut’s brother Gunter Dietmar Bark was born on August 5, 1938. Gunter passed away on December 9, 2011.

In 1945, when Edeltraut was 10 years old, her parents decided to leave their home in East Prussia, Germany, the night before the Russians came because the war was ending and the uncertainty of what could happen to them scared Edeltraut’s parents. They fled without a word to their friends and loved ones leaving their life, home, and belongings behind.  Edeltraut and Gunter were with their mother hidden in the back of a military truck. This was the start of their flight to northern Germany. They traveled by truck, caravan, train and by foot to northern Leck Germany.  They later moved to Flensburg, Germany.

After the war, in July 1952, Edeltraut was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Flensburg, Germany. This is where Edeltraut met the love of her life, Gene Miller, who was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Edeltraut and Gene were married on August 5, 1953, in the LDS temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ruth loved to travel, especially to Germany to see her family and friends. She loved entertaining Gene’s university colleagues as well as faculty members and graduate students.  Ruth was always at his side helping throughout his professional career at the University, and also when he started his own business, Baicor, in Logan, Utah, supporting her husband any way she could.

Trying to keep up with Ruth was difficult; she was always on the go. Church service work, sewing, quilting, cooking, caring for her grandchildren.  She loved her gardens, especially her rose gardens.

Edeltraut Ruth Miller is survived by her children Cynthia Louise McLaughlin (Jim Lawton McLaughlin), Patricia Ann Klingberg (Kenneth Alfred Klingberg), Gene Wayne Miller (Ekaterina Saraeva), Michael Bark Miller (Mellanie Dawne Miller), Elke Ruth Brown (David Lee Brown); grandchildren Kayla Jean, Liza Ekaterina, Maksim Wayne, Cory Michael Miller (Alyssa Neath), Jessica Lynn Kwak (Young Shin Kwak),  David Carson Brown (Victoria Solarte), Sydney Grace Artist (Beau Logan Artist), Kayla Marie Lignell (Philip Keith Lignell); Great-grandchildren Ahri Ana, Julien Gray, Jade MarLee, Sage Sylvia. Not least or to be forgotten the 22 great-grand fur babies who were always visiting Ruthie with their constant happy faces, love, and energy.

Funeral services will be held, Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11am at the LDS Church located at 360 E. 450 N. in Millville, UT. Viewings will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:30am at the church and Wednesday evening at Allen-Hall Mortuary from 6-8pm.

Services will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the following link (passcode: Miller)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86045732232?pwd=bWZxeEcxb0VIN0d1SGlQMjU5QjZVdz09

In leui of flowers, please consider making a donation to the University of Utah's Cognitive Disorders Department via the following link: https://healthcare.utah.edu/foundation