Miriam 'Kay' Miller, 77

Miriam ‘Kay’ Miller passed away peacefully at 1:41 p.m. July 6, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Kay was born Aug. 18, 1946, in Boise, Idaho, to George Sisson and Miriam Duckworth. She had three older half-brothers: Jerry, Thomas and Karl. Her older sister, Karen, arrived in 1943, then Kay in 1946, sister Coralie in 1948, brother George in 1950, and then baby sister Caryol in 1952.

Kay was blessed to love four men throughout her life, giving her three children: Leslie, Michael and Donnie. After arriving in North Idaho, Kay and then husband Jeff purchased the El Rancho Motel, owning and operating it for 18 years. Kay also owned and ran the diner Kay’s Place in downtown Coeur d’Alene, now known as Jimmy’s Down the Street.

Kay had a very down-to-earth personality that included much love and good humor. Some of these led to food fights at family gatherings. Kay loved herself a good game of Yahtzee, cards or board games with her many grandchildren. An abundance of love for her family led Nana Kay to be an integral part of raising many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kay is survived by her daughter, Leslie (Joseph); son Donnie (Jennifer); two sisters, Karen and Coralie; brother George; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With her passing, Kay now joins her son, Michael (1983), her mother, Miriam, and baby sister Carol (2016), in a pain-free new life. 

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Eagles Pavilion (1800 N. 15th St. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814).

Please visit Kay’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.