Happy Miller, 82, of Grinnell, died on Monday, May 20, 2024 at her home surrounded by her husband and daughters.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A private family interment will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell following the service.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be designated to PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter) or to Tama EMS Association and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Happy's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Gladys Dianne Vandaver was born on September 11, 1941 in Charles City, Iowa to Boyd and Irene (Baxter) Vandaver. She was raised in Charles City and Coggon, Iowa, and she graduated from Coggon High School in 1960.

Happy was united in marriage to Theodore Miller on April 13, 1964 in Independence, Iowa. The couple was blessed with five children: Tim, Vonna, Kelly, Ty, and Tina. They resided in Ardale, Iowa and Gilman, Iowa before moving to Grinnell in 1975. Happy was a hair stylist for several years and later managed Spurgeon's retail salon while living in Grinnell. She was always someone Smith Funeral Home could trust to style and take care of loved one's family members. Ted and Happy were members of the Grace Community Church and the Grinnell Christian Church.

One of her favorite hobbies was creating artwork. She spent countless hours creating art pieces for display at Carroll's Pumpkin Farm in Grinnell. Happy and Ted enjoyed golfing together at Oakland Acres Golf Course. Her greatest love was her family. She cherished every girls outing they took, especially the scavenger hunt they did in Grinnell. She will be remembered being steadfast, for her laughter (until she cried), for being beautiful inside and out, for living up to her name, and for her willingness to always help others.

Happy is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ted Miller of Grinnell; five children: Tim Miller of Kellogg, Vonna (Marty) Bailey of Grinnell, Kelly (Scott) Burns of Grinnell, Ty (Cindy) Miller of Belle Plaine, IA, Tina (Dale) Frascht of Brooklyn, IA; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Myrna (Norman) Carstensen of Olen, IA, and Beverly (Gene) Arnold of Walker, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd and Irene (Baxter) Vandaver; brother, Bob Vandaver; and a sister, Marilyn Thorne.