A memorial service for Rose Miles, age 95, of O’Neill will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in O’Neill. Rev. Mike Durre and Pastor Kasey Summerer will officiate. Burial will be later that day in the Hillcrest Cemetery, near Thedford.
Memorial visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025 at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill with a 7 p.m. prayer service.
Rose passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Arbor Care Center in O’Neill. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.
Sylvia Rose Miles was born on October 6, 1929 to Claude and Mary (Adkins) Florea in Thomas County, Nebraska. Rose grew up south of Thedford, attending Thedford High School and graduating Valedictorian. After high school she attended Kearney State College achieving her Teacher’s Certificate and taught in a country school. Later in life while working at the Bartlett then O’Neill High School Libraries, she studied at Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln before graduating from the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a Librarian degree. Upon earning her degree, she worked for the O’Neill Public Library.
Rose loved the country life, living near Thedford, Brownlee, Chambers, and O’Neill. She met Lester Miles and the couple married on October 30, 1948 in Thomas County, Nebraska. The couple settled on a ranch south of Chambers before spending their retirement years in O’Neill. Rose and Lester also worked at the Halsey National Forest during the summers for three years where she researched and updated their history.
She taught Sunday School, Bible School and started King’s Kids and Awanas at the Baptist Church. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in O’Neill. Rose was strong in her faith with God and family the center of her life. The words of salvation were strong in her heart; conveying that message to her children and others.
Rose enjoyed riding horses, writing music, poetry, sewing and family as well. She felt at home in the outdoors, planting flowers, gardening, and occasionally going swimming.
Rose is survived by her children, Cindy Fluckey and husband, Calvin of Plainview; Aletha Sue Kissell and husband, Gregory of Sargent; her son-in-law, Rickey Rowse and wife, Jean of Atkinson; 11 grandchildren, Arwin Mikkelsen and wife, Laura, Burton Mikkelsen and wife, Valerie, Donya Mikkelsen, Justin Rowse and wife, Amy, Aaron Rowse and wife, Samantha, Vincent Fluckey and wife, Melissa, Eric Fluckey, Byron Grenier and wife, Dawn, Robert Grenier and wife, Angela, Joseph Grenier and wife, Jenna, Cecil Kissell and wife, Samantha; 20 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; sister, Laura Belle Ramirez; and a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; four sisters; husband, Lester; daughters, Alberta Mikkelsen and Sammie Rowse; sons, Bernard Miles, and Bart Miles; son-in-law, Eddie Grenier; and grandson, Austin Grenier.
