Miriam Elaine Hughbanks-Seeber

Miriam Elaine Hughbanks-Seeber, 94, of Peoria, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria. She was born on August 30, 1929 in Spencer, Iowa, the daughter of John Henry Mueller and Frances (Prochnow) Mueller. Miriam married Norman Dean Hughbanks on August 1, 1951 in Spencer, Iowa. He preceded her in death on May 14, 1996 in Peoria. She then married Charles D. "Chuck" Seeber on August 3, 2007 in Peoria. He preceded her in death on October 3, 2016 in Peoria.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Melvin Mueller.

Miriam is survived by her two children, Eric J. Hughbanks of Roseville, Minnesota and Kathy (Aaron) Buchko of Peoria; two grandchildren, Alexandra Buchko and Andrej (Jessi) Buchko, all of Knoxville, Tennessee; and nieces, Linda Mueller, Barbara, and nephews, Steven Mueller, and Tom Mueller. Chuck Seeber’s daughters, Kate Locher and Cindy Wilson, also loved and cared for her in her later years.

Upon her brother’s urging, Miriam left Spencer and attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign majoring in library science. She met Norm at the U of I. They were married in Spencer, Iowa.

After living in Missouri and Sterling, Illinois for a short time they moved to Peoria. Along with her husband, Miriam was the former co-owner and co-operator of the Ben Franklin store on SW Adams Street in Peoria for 30 years. After the store closed, she started a new career, and worked as an associate editor for Crafts Magazine, a PJS Publication, for many years.

Miriam had many varied interests and hobbies. She loved doing crafts of all kinds, and was an excellent seamstress, winning a national contest in high school with a dress she had sewn. She was also a voracious reader and loved to play golf.

Miriam was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria, where she had been a former member of the Dorcas Circle and church choir. Miriam was extremely generous with her time and talents. She volunteered at many places and with many projects. She served as the head librarian for Concordia Lutheran School in Peoria for 12 years, volunteered at the Lutheran Home for over 20 years, and helped countless other people through her many skills.

Miriam's funeral service will be at 10:00 am Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Peoria. Rev. Aaron Hickey will officiate. Her visitation will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, also on Saturday at her church. Burial will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran School library, the Lutheran Hillside Village Benevolent Fund, or Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be shared with Miriam's family at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.