Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth Ann (Slaughter) Miller, 84, passed away Nov. 11, 2013, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center from complications of diabetes. Memorial services will be held 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 14, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with burial of the cremated remains to follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter.

Betty was born in Lincoln, Neb., April 24, 1929, to Ralph T. and Esther Elizabeth (Glenn) Slaughter. She earned her bachelor's degree in art from the University of Nebraska and her master's degree in art from Drake University. Betty was a lifelong teacher and professor of drawing and painting at Iowa State University where she was named Distinguished Professor. Prior to teaching at ISU, she taught at Drake University, The Des Moines Art Center and the Waterloo Recreation Commission.

Art was her lifelong passion as well as her profession. Betty also loved nature and saw beauty in its colors and composition. She enjoyed traveling and experiencing other cultures and was an avid reader. Betty also enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Vern C. Miller of Des Moines; daughter Molly Elizabeth (Miller) Turner and son-in-law Scott Turner of Chicago; daughter Julie Anna Miller and two grandchildren, Gabrielle and Harrison, of Des Moines; brother William Slaughter of Lincoln, Neb., and sister Mary (Slaughter) Gonzalez of Greeley, Colo.