Betty L. Miller

Betty McNutt Klejch Miller, 88, of Creston, died Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Southern Hills Specialty Care in Osceola. Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 7, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Services will be livestreamed at a link under her obituary at powersfh.com. Pastor Brian Campbell will officiate. Burial will be in Knowlton Cemetery northeast of Diagonal. Open visitation with family receiving friends will be 9-10:30 a.m., prior to services at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be determined. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Betty Lorraine Miller, daughter of Charles Dean McNutt and Crystal Lorraine (Hayworth) McNutt, was born at home Jan. 24, 1938, in Conway. She grew up in rural Taylor County and attended one-room country schools before attending Bedford High School. During her junior year the family moved to Diagonal where she graduated with the class of 1956. In her younger years, she stayed active in 4-H and softball and helped in the family business.

On Nov. 4, 1956, Betty was united in marriage to LaVerne Jerome Klejch at the First Christian Church in Diagonal. From this union came five children: Kevin, Charles, Curtis, Rebecca and Kristy. Betty was a devoted mother and homemaker. She was active in the church choir, was a 4-H leader, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and involved in her children’s many sports and activities. Later, Betty and LaVerne divorced. She remained in Diagonal and continued to work at the sale barn alongside her family as a clerk. In the early ’70s, she enrolled at Southwestern Community College, earning her secretarial degree and went to work for the Union County Department of Human Services.

On Aug. 9, 1974, Betty was united in marriage to Virgil Emmert Miller in Creston. The two settled on his family farm near Diagonal. At this time, she continued to work for DHS, first as a secretary and later as an income maintenance worker. She returned to Southwestern Community College in 1985 and earned her business degree. Betty then started working for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a driver’s license examiner until her retirement in December 1998.

Betty eventually moved to Creston where she enjoyed being closer to her children and grandchildren. She continued to enjoy watching them in every activity and sport she was able to attend. She followed many sports and cheered on all her nieces’, nephews’ and cousins’ teams whenever she had a chance. She even continued to follow her youngest daughter’s horseshoe pitching career of 46 years. She also followed many other sports leagues - Go Cyclones! And yes, Hawkeyes too! One of her proudest achievements is having attended the Iowa State Fair for 68 consecutive years, as well as the many county fairs. She was a longtime member of the Eagles Club #1398, Christian Church and Professional Business Women’s Association, was active in her political party and was a persistent poll worker.

Betty is survived by her children: Kevin (Mary Loudon) Klejch of Creston, Charles Klejch of Diagonal, Curtis Klejch of Creston, Rebecca (Brian) Keeney of Leon and Kristy Klejch of Creston; her grandchildren: Jason, Shannel, Chantel, Aaron, Joel, Mikala, Brianna, Jordan, Kalan, Derek, Stephanie and Gage; 18 great-grandchildren; her brother Marvin McNutt of Bedford; five sisters-in-law; good friends, Charlie and Bonnie Westman and Susan Ferber; along with many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Virgil Miller; her brothers: Kenneth, Larry and Steven McNutt; infant sister Nancy McNutt; daughter-in-law Karen Klejch; father of her children LaVerne Klejch; LaVerne’s parents, Jerry and Lillian Klejch and brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Doris Klejch and longtime friends, Elsie Creveling and Sherry Chamberlain.

Betty never met a stranger; they were just friends she did not know yet.