We Remember

MILLER, Dean Henry

February 28, 1935 — April 1, 2025

Born February 28, 1935, in Burnaby, BC, Dean passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at Orchard Manor, Kelowna, BC.

Dean is survived by his three children, Kathy (Jeff), Bruce (Tracy), and Brian (Monique); four grandchildren, Kurtis Miller (Elizabeth), Jason Hattrick, Jayme Miller (Tom), and Laura Hattrick; and one great-grandson, Evan (by Kurtis and Elizabeth). He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Miller, as well as his two sisters, Shirley Garrow and Nina Anderson.

Dean was the youngest of three children born to Henry H. Miller, a farmer from Shellbrook, SK, and Winnifred (née Furlong). The family left Burnaby just as World War II broke out, making a brief stop in Princeton, BC, before settling in Kelowna, where Dean completed his schooling through Grade 12 at Kelowna Secondary School. It was there that he met and fell in love with Mary Gowen.

After high school, Dean began working for Mitchell Auto Parts while Mary completed her senior year of high school. Once Mary graduated as a nurse from Royal Columbia Hospital in New Westminster in early 1958, Dean and Mary married, starting their family shortly thereafter in their new home at the corner of Birch Avenue and Taylor Crescent.

In 1970, Dean, along with his colleague Dennis Wyatt, co-founded Miller & Wyatt Ltd. The business was highly successful from the start, expanding to include three locations in Westbank, Kelowna, and Rutland. In 1998, Dean retired and sold his share of the business to Dennis and his family.

Following his retirement, Dean and Mary enjoyed more than 20 years of travel, including numerous cruises and countless bus trips to the south. They also cherished spending time with their grandchildren, all of whom were raised in the beautiful Okanagan. Their love for gardening and exploring BC’s interior with old railroad history as their focus added to their many happy memories. Dean and Mary became active members of the Willow Park Church in Rutland, where they spent many hours with their friends, helping in the church kitchen, and volunteering at the MCC Thrift Shop in Rutland. In their last years together, Dean and Mary spent much of their time and energy attending and helping in the kitchen at Kelowna Gospel Fellowship Church in Kelowna where they made a lasting impression on the congregation.  Dean also enjoyed golfing at the Harvest Club with close friends Dick Bartel and Hank Neufeld.

In 2020, the family suffered the sudden loss of Mary to pancreatic cancer. Though Dean never fully recovered from this loss, he found joy in spending his final years with his children, Kathy, Bruce, and Brian. In 2024, Dean was elated by the birth of his great-grandson, Evan, ensuring that the Miller name would continue for at least another generation.

Those who knew Dean would describe him as kind, loving, generous, hard-working, resourceful, devout, fair, and honest. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now reunited with Mary.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Hawthorn Park and Orchard Manor, where Dean resided for the past two years.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation – one of Mary and Dean’s favourite local charities – would be greatly appreciated (www.kghfoundation.com).

A joint Celebration of Life for both Dean and Mary will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM (PDT), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

Service
Monday, June 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM (PDT)

Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME

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KGH Foundation Link: www.kghfoundation.com

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for MILLER, Dean Henry is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Liz Borrett says:
    May 16, 2025 at 11:43 am

    So sorry for your family loss. I have many fun memories with Mary& Dean. We spent many hours cheering on our kids at the many sporting events. Sending you loving comfort from the Borrett family.

    Reply
  • Kathleen Wieshlow says:
    June 15, 2025 at 8:24 pm

    Kathy Bruce and Brian and Family. So
    sorry for your great losses of your parents i got to know your family well when your Grandma Rose lived at Three Links Manor. Your parents were amazing people sooo positive and full of love and humor and endless Faith. So much Fun and always the Cup half full. They were so special. I loved your mom,she was a good friend to my Mom. MARY WIESHLOW. My thoughts and prayers are with you on this very special day . I will be thinking of Mary and Dean and you all. Also of that blue hat of Rose s that was at your parents front door entrance…. ..Hugs to you all Katie wieshlow

    Reply
    • Kathy Hattrick says:
      June 22, 2025 at 5:07 pm

      Thank you for your lovely message Katie. How kind of you to share your memories with us. Mom and Dad really were very special people. We were blessed.

      Reply

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They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke

I liked the personal treatment given to my mother who is 97 years old. As her representative, I found Springfield employees pleasant and sincere, helpful and knowledgeable. Something I didn’t know, was that the funeral home would help me get through the paperwork need at this time. I am very thankful for that.

Janice Cornell

Genuine concern, excellent service, very professional. Since this was my first experience (with a funeral home), everything was above and beyond what I expected.

Randy Hatanaka

Thank you to your team for your kindness to me at a very challenging time.  You have now taken care of both of my parents with professionalism and care.

Nancy Farran

Springfield Funeral Home is always professional, caring and very knowledgeable.  We appreciate that you have dedicated staff for all needs from planning the service to completing government paperwork.

Timothy Morio Tahara

I am not sure there was anything you could have done to make a very intense emotional time less stressful.  Although we hadn’t expected Ken to want a service, when he said we needed to have one for us not him, it was true.  Your sincerity and compassion meant everything to us.  Thank you.

Gwen Harvie

David Henseleit, your compassion and professionalism is truly amazing!  The entire staff were courteous, super professional and caring as each guest arrived.  Everything was done to perfection!

Myra Neuman

Keep up the good work that you do as it is such an important service you provide.  It is still the most difficult time in a person’s life.  Your kindness is so appreciated.  We appreciated the peace of mind that everything was being looked after.

Gloria Couture

You provide a wonderful service for people going through a traumatic time.  Thank You.  The kindness and professionalism shown by the staff at Springfield Funeral Home was exemplary.

 

Kim McCaveney