Gloria Grotjan-Miller

Dr. Gloria Grotjan-Miller, 90, passed on October 28, 2020, at her home in Jefferson City. Born 13 September 1930, in St. Louis to Richard and Grace Foster, Gloria attended Southwest High School where she was twice double-promoted before graduating Salutatorian in 1946. She attended the University of Missouri from 1946 to 1950, where she was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After graduation, she taught Elementary school in northern Missouri and in 1963, became the Special Education Teacher at California High. She held that position for three years, during which time she received the Dabny Award for excellence as a Special Education teacher and earned a full Fellowship for graduate studies at the University of Missouri. In 1971, she was awarded a PhD in Education and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University Missouri Columbia. Dr Grotjan then founded the Special Education program at Lincoln University in Jefferson City of which she remained the Director until her retirement from active teaching in 1998. The graduates of Dr. Grotjan's program were highly sought by Missouri school systems. During her years at Lincoln, she also founded and administered Learning Unlimited, which utilized University professors in a unique program to further the special abilities of gifted students. Dr. Grotjan was a founding member of the Zebras, a bridge club created to foster increased social interaction between Lincoln women of diverse backgrounds. Dr. Grotjan and her late husband, Dr. Herman Miller, both Professors Emeritus of Lincoln University, enjoyed an active retirement. They served as volunteers for Habitat For Humanity and co-founded "Let's Dance", a social dance society in Jefferson City. For many years, Dr. Grotjan also served as a volunteer at West Elementary School and tutored bridge until her passing. She was preceded in death by husband, Dr. Herman Miller; son, Gil; and granddaughters, Miranda Grotjan and Iris Ann Grotjan. Dr Grotjan-Miller is survived by her sons, Richard Gilbert (Pauline) and Lloyd Grotjan (Ann); daughter, Roseann Grotjan (Michael); grandsons, Josh (Ashley) and Jesse (Sarah) Gilbert and Dalton Mobley (Denise); granddaughters, Grace Mobley (Chris), Savannah and Sonya Grotjan; and great-grandchildren, William, Lily, and Margot. Before her death, Gloria requested that her obituary be modest and not a long list of accomplishments. Family and friends felt that would not fully honor her memory. But Gloria Grotjan-Miller was not her accomplishments. She was a unique combination of qualities that enabled her many accomplishments. She possessed a seemingly boundless optimistic energy that she used with positive intention. She was talented and used her talents to help others, especially those living at a social or economic disadvantage. She was intelligent but recognized and taught to different kinds of intelligence. She was beautiful but saw the beauty in all. She believed in helping others and that you could have fun in the process (and she did). Private family services will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.