A celebration of life for Erika will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 beginning at 1:30 P.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Memorials in Erika’s name may be directed to the American Red Cross, Marshalltown Public Library, the MCC Foundation or a local charity of the donor’s choosing. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Erika Liesbeth Butzlaff was born on July 20, 1940 in Danzig, Germany. She was one of six children born to Bernhard and Liesbeth (Demolski) Butzlaff. Erika grew up in Germany until 1957, when she and her family immigrated to the United States. They settled in Marshalltown, with generous sponsorship by the First United Methodist Church. She attended Marshalltown High School and graduated with the Class of 1959.

Erika married Jerry Dean Miller on October 14th, 1961, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple settled originally in Iowa Falls later moving to Marshalltown in 1968. While raising their children Heidi and Patrick, she furthered her education, earning an associate’s degree from Marshalltown Community College and later a Bachelor's in Interior Design from Iowa State University in 1985.

Erika devoted her life to caring for her family, making it her primary focus. She was active in the Marshalltown community through First United Methodist Church, the Hospital Auxiliary, P.E.O., and local book clubs. She cherished family time at Lake Ponderosa and winter stays in Perdido Key, Florida with Jerry after his retirement. Above all, she treasured moments with her children and grandchildren.

Those left to remember and cherish her memory are her children: Heidi (Jeff) Miller-Olinger of Decorah, Iowa and Pat (Tammy) Miller of Story City, Iowa; her grandchildren: Drew (Hanna) Olinger, Tess (Bridger Pavelka) Olinger, Samuel (Amber) Miller and Benjamin (Sarah Schmidt); great-grandchildren: Greer, Blair and Webb Olinger and baby boy of Samuel and Amber due in July; and one sister, Heike (Bill) Seemann of Sioux City, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry; her parents, Bernhard and Liesbeth Butzlaff; and her siblings, Gitta, Gerhard, Dieter and Marianne.