Denise Miller passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026, surrounded by her husband, children, and sons and daughters-in-law. Denise was born on April 26, 1954, to Decker and LaDonne (Morgan) Haynie. Denise grew up in La Jara, Colorado, and graduated from Centauri High School in 1972. During her junior year of high school, she met Kay Miller. Her heart stopped. She was in love, and he felt the same. They dated throughout high school. Despite all of his antics, she adored him! After graduating from high school, she attended one year of college at BYU. She yearned for home, and when Kay caught wind that she had gone on a date with another guy, he headed out there quickly and sealed the deal. She returned home and attended one year at Park's Business School in Denver and earned her medical transcription license. She began a business of medical transcription called "DM Transcription." She and Kay were sealed for time and eternity in the Manti, Utah Temple on June 27, 1975. To their union came five kids—Tara, Krista, Trevor, Cole, and Brock. Denise worked as a as a medical assistant and as a medical transcriptionist for 37 years. She eventually retired and was happy to be home with her husband, her kids, and her 17 grandkids. Nothing made her happier than her grandkids. They were the highlight of her life. She followed all of their activities in every way, knew everything about them, and spent a lot of time laughing with them, cooking for them, and enjoying their fun.

As an only child, Denise wanted nothing more than lots of kids, many grandkids, and lots of cats. Kay and Denise planned to have ten kids, but once Brock arrived, that ended that plan quickly. Instead of kids, she loaded up on cats. She always had at least one indoor cat, and on the latest count, she has around 28 outdoor cats. She loved each one of them and knew their names and behaviors perfectly. If anyone tried to take one or find it a new home, man, she knew it, and that person heard about it and never tried it again!

Denise loved her family and the Church. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her lifetime. She wanted her children to be active members, get sealed to their spouses, and produce lots of grandkids for her. She wanted them to stay as close as possible forever. All this has happened. They all live in Sanford. All three of her sons served LDS missions, she has two awesome son-in-laws and two amazing daughter-in-laws, and 17 amazing grandchildren. They are all very close and share a strong family bond.

Denise was preceeded in death by her parents, Decker and LaDonne Haynie, and her father and mother-in-law, Herman and Mary June Miller. She is survived by her loving husband, Kay Miller, her children, Tara (Mike) McCarroll, Krista (Bart) Bond, Trevor (Javonna) Miller, Cole Miller, and Brock (Alyssa) Miller, and 17 grandchildren, Lacy, Justin, Jared, Ryan, and Travis McCarroll, Texa, Shasta, Haylee, Jentry, Alayah, and Bristol Bond, and Macy, Lexi, Paxton, Miles, Raiden, and Nash Miller. She is also survived by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In the last few years of her life, Denise experienced many struggles with her health. She was happy at home, so her family made it the best for her there as possible. In December, she went into the hospital with health complications. Unbeknownst to everyone, this was the last time she would see her house. She spent the last three months of her life in and out of the ICU at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, on three different flight-for-life flights, many nights at the San Luis Care Center in Alamosa, and eventually ended up at Penrose ICU again where her final days were spent. She was able to pass away peacefully with expert care around her and lots of love from her family by her side.

The family would like to thank all those who helped take care of her throughout her struggles. Their love and support helped her get through and has greatly helped her family during this difficult time. The family will miss her so much but find solace in years of memories, laughter, and the future eternity they will get to spend together in the afterlife.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00-5:45 p.m., at the Sanford LDS Church Cultural Hall. A graveside service will be held at the Sanford Cemetery at 6:00 p.m., following the visitation. We ask that people dress casually and visit with laughter and memories.