Vesta H. Miller

Vesta Helene Miller was born on October 23, 1928, in Stockton, Kansas to Emma and George Colburn. She was one year old when the stock market crashed, heralding the beginning of the Great Depression. Her father died from injuries when she was 6, leaving her mother to raise three children and manage a farm during the hardest of times. She grew up in poverty but through her hard work and the kindness of a neighbor, she began her studies at Kansas State College at the age of 16. While there, Stan Miller caught her attention, and marriage soon followed. They graduated and began their life in Dodge City, Kansas, and a few years later welcomed Cindy and then Shelley. They moved their little family to Bountiful, Utah. Several years passed and in 1960, they relocated to Arvada, CO and Greg joined the family three weeks later.

Vesta was a wife and homemaker for the first few years in Arvada. In 1966 Judy was welcomed into the family at the age of 13. As the children grew Vesta was able to start substitute teaching part time, but her passion for the community led her to many positions at the City, County, State, and even National levels. These include City Council, Mayor, Planning Commission, Chairwoman of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, Northwest Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Comprehensive Cultural Plan for Arvada, and the National League of Cities. She was a founding member of the Arvada Historical Society where she helped envision, plan, and bring to completion the Arvada Center for Performing Arts. Because of her dedication to the City of Arvada, she was named Woman of the Year and also received the Pioneer Award.

In her own words, “This was all very interesting, but no help to family finances. With four children in various stages of college and three daughters’ weddings, it was time to become a part of the paid work force.” She joined Van Schaack and Company selling real estate and continued that career into her mid-70’s.

After retiring, she enjoyed traveling, gardening, volunteering, and time with family and friends. Thanks to the expert care of Intermountain Health Hospice at Lutheran and her devoted and loving family, she was able to pass peacefully at home at the age of 96 on July 21, 2025.