Barbara (Barb) Miller, 94, longtime resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29th, in Traverse City, Michigan.

Barb was born in Chicago, IL on October 1, 1930 to the late Henning and Irma (Berger) Bloomquist. Barb possessed a confident determination and had an unwavering attention to detail. She was the Valedictorian of her Manistee High School class in 1948, then went on to excel at North Park Junior College in Chicago and the University of Michigan from which she graduated in 1952. It was at a pep rally at U of M that met she met fellow business school classmate, Harold Herbert (Herb) Miller, Jr. They were married December 6, 1952 and shared over 55 years in Ypsilanti.

Barb began her career as an economic analyst for the Ford Motor Company, then went on to work for the University of Michigan School of Business. After starting a family, Barb spent countless hours as a volunteer and leader in her church and her community. She was proud to edit the newsletter for Emmanuel Lutheran Church for 40 years, taking the publication from mimeograph to digital format. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge and traveling with Herb. She loved good food and was an excellent entertainer. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and was known for her pickled herring and Christmas cookies. Barb and Herb traveled across the country and across the ocean to spend time with their children and grandchildren. They shared in their enthusiasm for U of M sports and Detroit Tigers baseball.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Herb. She is survived by their daughters, Karin (David) Summers of Traverse City and Gail Lange of Hardeeville, SC, as well as grandchildren, Benjamin and Elizabeth Summers and Kaitlin and Kirsta Lange.


Celebration of Life October 1, 2025
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
201 N. River Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Gathering 10:00 am
Memorial Service 11:00 am

Elevator to church available from rear parking lot


Memorial contributions may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Ypsilanti, MI or Hospice of Michigan, Traverse City. The family requests that no flowers be sent at this time.