|
Francis "Fritz"
Miller • 1918 - 2002 Francis Joseph "Fritz" Miller, 83, Donnybrook, ND, died Thursday at his home. He was born on July 22, 1918, in Ivanhoe Township, Ward County, the son of John and Mary (Baumgartner) Miller. He was raised and educated in rural Donnybrook. At the age of 16, his father passed away. He worked with his brothers and family to operate the family farm. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Donnybrook and Kenmare, ND area for a couple years. In the fall of 1942, he entered the United States Army and served in World War II. He served in the European, African, Middle Eastern and Asiatic-Pacific theaters. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945. He returned to Donnybrook and continued his farming operation. He married his wife, Gertrude, on April 5, 1948, in Minot, ND. They lived and raised their family in Greenbush Township. He grain farmed, raised cattle and various other farm animals. He remained active in the farm until the past few years, only semi-retiring to pursue more leisurely interests like fishing and woodworking. His love for nature and the outdoors showed in his daily adventures, be it hunting, fishing, making patriotic birdhouses, or driving to get some parts for machinery at the farm. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Donnybrook, and served of the church council for a time. He was a member of the American Legion Clarence McCormack Post #195, Donnybrook, the Knights of Columbus, the Donnybrook Baseball Boosters, the Donnybrook School Board, and the World War II Last Mans Club. Memorials are preferred to the Home on the Range For Boys, Sentinel Butte, ND. Survivors: wife, Gertrude; children, Michael Miller and wife Debbie, Mary Ann Michel and husband Danny, and Mary Teresa Quigley, all of Donnybrook; six grandchildren, Michelle Schock and husband Brian, Jennifer Quigley, Valerie Thingelstad and husband Kevin, Corey and Shawn Miller, and Christopher Michel; four great-grandchildren, Kali Schock, Brianna Verhonich, McKenzie Thingelstad and Collin Schock. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. His parents, brothers, Clarence, Harold, Donald and Father David Miller, sisters, Esther Martin, Clara Nelson and Mary Leibeck, brothers-in-law, Mike Martin, Clarence Nelson, and Carl Leibeck, and sister-in-law, Veedie Miller, preceded him in death. Funeral: Monday, May 6, 2002, 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Donnybrook. Rosary Recitation: Sunday, May 5, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. at the church in Donnybrook. Visitation: Sunday, May 5, at the church in Donnybrook from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Burial: St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Donnybrook. Flag Presentation and Honor Guard: American Legion Clarence McCormack Post # 195, Donnybrook Celebrant of the Liturgies: Father Frank Schuster Mass Servers: Kaitlin Gregoire and Kayla Miller Scripture Readers: Sharon Graff and Marlys Martwick Offertory Gift Bearers: Francis' grandchildren Music Active Pallbearers: Corey Miller,Christopher Michel, Leo Locker, Frankie Anderson, Donald Murphy, Donald Gregoire, Michael Miller, Brian Schock, Clayton Patterson Ralph Anderson Honorary Bearers: Francis' family, friends and fellow servicemen |