Marie Thérèse (Grether) Miller

June 12, 1936 – March 30, 2025

Marie Thérèse (Grether) Miller passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 30, 2025, in Carmel. She was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1936, and was adopted by her loving parents, Paul and Germaine Grether, who brought her to her new home in St. Louis, Mo.

A lifelong Catholic, Thérèse graduated from Fontbonne College and began her career as an elementary school teacher. In 1959, she married Karl Miller, and they moved to Kokomo, Ind., where they started their lives and family together.

In her 50s, Marie returned to graduate school to earn her master’s degree in counseling and later opened a private practice. Though she may not have called herself a feminist, she raised her three daughters to be independent, strong, and true to themselves.

Thérèse and Karl were married for 65 years, spending time in New Orleans, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida before ultimately returning to Indiana in 2023. No matter where they lived, Thérèse poured her heart into creating a loving home. For more than 50 years, the family gathered every Christmas Eve, celebrating together and enjoying the traditions she lovingly created.

She loved gardening, tending her flowers, and creating a sanctuary for birds – filling her yard with blooms, feeders, and birdbaths. Her idea of a perfect Mother’s Day was a fresh delivery of compost and a day spent preparing her garden beds. Thérèse and Karl loved golf, building a community of friends across courses in Indiana and Florida. Thérèse never met a dog she didn’t like or a person she wasn’t interested in learning more about.

But above all else, Thérèse loved her family. In her final years, she was rarely more than an arm’s length from her husband Karl.

She is survived by her daughters, Christiane Miller (Charles Petty), Karen Demerly (Danielle and Jared Schafer), and Kathy Moon (Tyler Moon; Nathan and Olivia Moon; Jessica Moon and Jake Treida). She was especially delighted to meet her first great-grandchild, Jack Karl Schafer, just months before her passing. She is also survived by her nephews, Dale Miller (Marilyn), Alan Miller (Kathy), and their families.

Thérèse’s family gathered in Carmel on April 4, 2025, to honor her life, sharing memories and stories over some of her favorite foods. If you would like to celebrate Thérèse’s life as well, then somewhere along the way: say a prayer or two, put on your soft clothes, pour yourself a generous glass of wine, and at the next family cookout, when no one is looking, slip a hamburger or hot dog under the table to your favorite dog.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com