Lorna Mae Miller-Sterner

Lorna Mae Miller-Sterner, 77, of La Junta, Colorado passed away Friday, August 21, 2026 in La Junta. She was born Sunday, August 30, 1948 in Denver Colorado, and adopted by Lewis & Ida Belle (Kauffman) Miller.

Lorna received her BA in K-12 education. She was an accomplished distance runner and was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in the relay for the Olympics in 2002, which was a true source of pride and honor. She married Wes Sterner in 1987 and retired a few years ago from Otero County Social Services.

After retirement Lorna loved spending time with kids and grandkids.She was an animal lover and always had an assortment of rescue dogs, birds, donkeys and horses around. She also enjoyed yard work, water aerobics, ceramic painting, and yoga. Notably, Lorna spent many hours working as a court appointed child advocate for troubled girls that needed a steady and loving hand.

Lorna had a motto that guided her: “God gave us two ends. One to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which we use. Heads you win, tails you lose”.

Lorna is survived by step-daughters, Ellen (Bill) Harper of Watkins, CO; Lynne (Wayne) Niston of Longmont, CO; grandchildren, Lauren (Kris) Barrow of Virginia Beach, VA; Sara (Patrick) Finney of Denver, CO; Russell Harper of Arvada, CO; Benjamin Niston of Longmont, CO; Caitlyn (Trevor) Niston Jutila, of Mead, CO; great-grandchildren, Brady and Carson Barrow, Coraline Hudson, June and Violet Finney, and Charlotte, Kennedy and Jack Jutila. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Sterner; her parents, Lewis & Ida Belle Miller, her brother Adrian Miller, and great grandson Cameron Wesley Barrow.

Per Lorna’s request, a private inurnment will take place and there are no services at this time. Those who wish to do so may make a contribution to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a group that benefits childhood brain cancer, at stbaldricks.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Perez & Peacock Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements