GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- A 42-year-old Amish mother of 11 who defied doctors' odds by battling severe burns following a November propane explosion at her family's Newaygo County home has died.
Leona Miller died Friday of an infection at Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
She died with her husband Joseph and her children surrounding her hospital bed, holding onto her arms, the oldest daughter said. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time of the Nov. 13 blast.
``It was a miracle that she was able to be with us this long,'' 21-year-old Nancy Miller said. ``It was very peaceful.''
Leona Miller's youngest child, Samuel, was delivered by doctors the day of the explosion. Her 4-year-old daughter, Kathryn, was seriously injured in the blast, but was released from the hospital last month.
``It's going to be very hard to be in there without her,'' Nancy Miller said of the Garfield Township house their community rebuilt. ``I'm sure the Lord won't give us more than we can handle, but we're going to need a lot of prayers.''
She also thanked the hundreds of western Michigan residents who have helped the family.
Days after the explosion, Amish from across the state gathered at the Millers' 100-acre dairy farm. A new seven-bedroom home was erected quickly.
Joseph Miller said everything happens for a reason.
``Everybody wants to get to heaven, but nobody wants to die,'' he said. ``She'll be in heaven, and we're lucky we've had a lot of blessings in this life until now.''
