DeEtta E. (Zautke) Miller

NORFOLK – Funeral service for DeEtta E. (Zautke) Miller, 93, formerly of Fremont, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. Rev. Greg Rathke will be officiating the service. Interment will be held at the Pleasant View Cemetery, Plainview. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service on Thursday, also at the funeral home. The service will be live-streamed on the Stonacek Funeral Chapel website at https://www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/deetta-zautke-miller/#!/PhotosVideos. DeEtta passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025 at the Stanton Health Center in Stanton. Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. DeEtta was born on November 1, 1932 in Creighton, Nebraska to William and Genevieve (Rice) Pochop. She was the oldest of 4 children including Elvena Herbolsheimer (deceased), Milton Pochop (deceased), and Natalie Hill of Rockdale, Texas. Her childhood days took her to Winner, SD where she lived on a farm. Unfortunately, when she was a young girl, lightning struck their home and the fire destroyed it. The family then moved to a farm southeast of Pierce where she attended District 29 East through the eighth grade. She then went on to attend Pierce High School through the 11th grade. While growing up, she was always her daddy’s right-hand girl helping with the chores, milking the cows, and working the fields. Her dad Bill was the kindest man around. In June of 1950, she married her high school sweetheart, Roy Zautke also from Pierce, at the St. John’s Lutheran parsonage. The two of them moved to Norfolk where Roy pursued his carpet and flooring business. DeEtta became a young mother, and out of this union became four children; Natala Wegner of Norfolk, Dwight (Kristine) Zautke of Sioux City, IA, Richard (Paulynn) Zautke of Norfolk, and Nadine (Dick) Samsel of Spring Grove, IL. DeEtta was a busy housewife and mom but later started pursuing other opportunities and eventually became a nursing home aide in Norfolk. She loved working with the elderly and sometimes even worked one on one with people in their homes. Her four children grew up and blessed her with 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. On May 11, 1974 in Las Vegas, NV (after living in San Diego, CA for a short time.) DeEtta married retired Navy man Ronald Dean Miller from Norfolk. Out of this union came 3 step-children; Roxanne (Stan) Titman of Norfolk, Rosalind (Dan) Painter of Wichita, KS, and Victor Miller of Omaha, along with 5 step-grandchildren, and 4 step-great-grandchildren, and 5 step-great-great-grandchildren. Throughout their married life, Dean and DeEtta enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors in Fremont. They especially loved camping, boating, and fishing. After retirement, they traveled south for the winters. DeEtta was always the one who took charge! She was a devoted mom who had a lot to give and share with everyone she met. She was always outgoing, loved people, and involved herself in lots of activities such as bowling, playing cards, selling Avon, and while living in Texas joining the Red Hat Club. Many evenings were spent playing games, cards, and bingo down at the clubhouse at Woody Acres in Rockport, TX. Sad news came knocking on their door in January, 2008 when Dean was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and passed away on February 5, 2008. DeEtta’s life changed full circle, but she came back to her home in Fremont and continued to pursue her love of helping, caring, and lending a hand to others by volunteering at the nursing homes. There she met another co-volunteer, Norman Heese, a farmer from Scribner, Nebraska, who has since become a very dear friend. He never missed coming to see her every Wednesday at the Stanton Health Center. He continued to keep her focused and motivated one day at a time, plus he too was very loved by DeEtta’s family. A true gem of a friend! DeEtta was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont where her faith stood strong. Survivors include DeEtta’s family and dear friend. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Dean Miller, first husband Roy Zautke, parents William and Genevieve Pochop, sister Elvena Herbolsheimer, and brother Milton Pochop. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

DeEtta E. (Zautke) Miller

November 1, 1932 - November 3, 2025