Milton "Mitch" Miller

 

Milton "Mitch" Miller

Milton "Mitch" Miller, 91, Bowdle, died Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Bowdle Nursing Home. Funeral services was at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bowdle, with Pastor Justin Dauck leading the service. Interment, with military rites by the Andrew and Harold Schauer American Legion Post No. 259, Roscoe, was at 1:45 p.m. Saturday at Morningside Cemetery, Roscoe.

Milton Alvin Miller, son of Clara (Liebelt) and Jacob A. Miller, was born July 17, 1926 at Isabel. When his mother died, his father remarried. In 1936, the family moved to a farm east of Bowdle. Milton was confirmed at St. John's Church. His formal education consisted of rural school near Isabel and Bowdle. In 1945, the Millers purchased a farm near Tolstoy where they raised their eight children.

Milton served his country in the United States Army, being inducted December 14, 1950. He was honorably discharged on December 16, 1952 and returned home to begin his farming career in earnest. To supplement the farming income, Mitch, as he was widely known, followed his father's footsteps and went into the trucking business. He was a self-taught electrician and mechanic. These talents proved to be a great asset to his family and farm. He also became a restaurateur, owning and operating Sam's Café in Bowdle for some time. Mitch eventually retired and established his residency in Bowdle.

Mitch had varied interests. He loved flying and was a self-taught pilot, owning several airplanes over the years. He also delighted in repairing broken appliances and accumulated quite a collection over time as his friends and neighbors gave him their broken equipment. He loved joking with and teasing people and collected hundreds of the EARL comic strips. He was overjoyed when received a booklet complete with numerous, humorous articles from niece Lauri on his 50th birthday.

Mitch is survived by three brothers, Harold Miller of Aberdeen, Eugene Miller of Bowdle, and Arlyn (Sharon) Miller of Java; and three sisters, Loretta Wolff of New Salem, N.D., Gladys Hanchett of Lapeer, Mich. and Eldena Hanson-Russell of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jacob, on June 9, 1967; his mother, Clara, on May 19, 1934; his step mother, Emelia, on June 17, 1983; one sister (Barbara Metzger); and three brothers-in-law (Ervin Wolff, Ray Hanchett, and James "Jim" Russell).

Honorary bearers were all of Mitch's nieces and nephews. Casketbearers were Ervin (Butch) Wolff, Jr. and Errol Wolff of Fargo, N.D., Randall Hanson of Brookings, Russell Bomesberger of Onaka, Raymond Lout of Aberdeen and Jan Sautner of Bismarck, N.D.

The organist was Judy Rabenberg and the congregation sang "I'm But a Stranger Here: Heaven Is My Home", "Asleep in Jesus! Blessed Sleep", "Forever with the Lord" and "Abide With Me". The usher was Mark Bieber.

Memorials are preferred to the Bowdle Nursing Home, 8001 W 5th St., Bowdle, SD 57428; St. John Lutheran Church, 2024 S. 2nd Ave, Bowdle, SD 57428; or Bowdle Senior Center, P.O. Box 144, Bowdle, SD 57428.

Arrangements by Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle. Visit http://www.MillerLienFH.com to leave an online condolence or to view the video tribute.

 

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