Miranda Paige died unexpectedly on March 2nd while staying in Minot, ND. Her death is going to leave a huge hole in so many hearts but none bigger than in her daughter Marlaina's.

Miranda "MirMir" "Mirmaid" Paige Volz was born on February 3rd,1999 in Williston, ND to Danny Volz and Marti Pankowski. She was born 3 1/2 weeks late on a cold February day. I guess she hated the cold before she could even tell us. She arrived like a storm and soon became the spokesperson for her two older siblings, Conor and Hannah. She was born an old soul; from an early age she could sit with the adults and hold a conversation and the next minute run off to play with the kids. She was a goofball who always wanted to be part of the action. Most times her mouth couldn't keep up with her mind, she would get so excited all she could do was stutter. She was a little girl always on the go, never wanting to miss out on anything.

She attended St Joe's Catholic school Pre K-6th grade then went on to attend Williston middle school where she would meet the 1st love of her life Gabe Garnica. They were inseparable and shared a quirky sense of humor and common interests that bonded them together. She then went on to start Williston High School when in her sophomore year found out she was going to be a mom. Miranda was determined to still earn her high school diploma so she put in long days at the Del Easton Alternative School all through her pregnancy. She received her diploma weeks after welcoming her and Gabe’s daughter, Marlaina Anne Garnica on October 23rd,2015. Marlaina was the apple of her parents eye. Marlaina was their pride and joy and their greatest accomplishment. They worked hard to make a wonderful home for their little girl.

Miranda's favorite thing on earth was being mama to her baby Marls. All while juggling being a mother and taking care of a household, she started working at First State Bank as a teller and worked her way up to Operations Clerk. Of all her jobs she loved her time at the bank the best. She made many lifelong friends there. She loved spending time out at the lake and a family highlight was purchasing a boat to spend even more time on the water. They added to their family with the addition of her beloved dog Queso Blanco who she referred to as her baby boy. He definitely took on the role of her emotional support dog. Even though Gabe and Miranda decided to live separate lives they coparented very well and strived to raise the best daughter together.

Miranda kept a small circle of friends but was loved by many. Her first true best friend and lasting friend was her cousin, Madison Birkeland-Weigel, they were two peas in a pod, always together being little divas, putting on fashion shows, playing dress up, putting on make-up, holding dance parties to later having photoshoots. Sharing an inseparable bond until the end.

MirMir had such a strong bond with her siblings, yes sometimes they fought like siblings do but at the end of the day were best friends "whether they liked it or not". Conor was always her protector and now once again he can be her protector in heaven. We know he was there waiting for her. Another highlight was when she became TiTi Mir to Hannah's boys, Vance and Paxton, she jokingly referred to herself as the "Mean" auntie to try and help her sister out.

Miranda loved her music and loved to lay in her big comfy bed listening to her favorites or binge watch her Netflix series. She was a movie buff that loved all genres especially scary movies. If you knew Mir you knew her knack to laugh at the most inopportune times, her quirky sense of humor, her giggle that turned into a full laugh, her potty mouth, her sarcastic T-shirts and her love of funny socks. She was our perfectly imperfect unique daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, friend and most importantly mama. We will miss you fiercely but we hope you know YOU were always enough and loved...

Miranda is survived by her daughter, Marlaina Anne Garnica (dad, Gabe Garnica and uncle, Alex Booth); father, Danny (Jody) Volz of Minot, ND; mother, Marti (Ron) Pankowski; sister, Hannah Volz (Ryan Delaney) with sons, Vance and Paxton Delaney; step-siblings, Erik Pankowski with children, Janson and Evalyn; Mandi Pankowski with children, Joshua(Krystal) Herrick with son, Malcolm and Theodore due this spring; Eliza Herrick and son, Waylon; Baya and Jaxten; David Pankowski and Pete(Rachel) Fritz; grandparents, Larry and Jeanne Jacobson; Carolyn Volz. On her mother's side; aunt, Dawn (Darren) Birkeland along with their children, and special cousins, Karissa (Andrew) Teske with daughters, Grace, Maci and Abby: Madison (Cullen) Weigel with children, Scarlette and Harden; uncle, Travis (Ann) Jacobson with daughters, Megan and Amy; uncle, Lonny (Julie) Jacobson with daughter, Jocelyn; aunt, Brandee (Justin) Hanson and son, Tavyn. On father's side: uncle, David (Brenda) Volz and uncle, Dennis (Brook) Volz with children, Keenen (Jocelynn) with son, Weston; Branssen and Abrianna Volz.

Preceded in death by her brother, Conor Jake Volz and grandpa, Clarence Volz.

Memorial Contribution