Joseph Miller • 1917 - 2003

Joseph Miller, 86, Minot, died Tuesday, December 9, 2003, in his home.

Joe was born on September 2, 1917, in Richardton, ND, to Peter P. and Marianna (Schmidt) Miller. He was raised and educated in the area and then moved to Dickinson, ND. He served in the US Army Company K, 129th Infantry Division from 1942 through 1945. His main service time was spent in the southwest Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged from the service and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and the Soldier's Good Conduct medals. Upon his return to North Dakota, he went to work for the Farmers Union Co-op Creamery which later became Queen City Creamery in Dickinson. He married Mary Martin on July 7, 1947, in Gladstone, ND. They lived and worked in Dickinson until 1966. They moved to Minot, and he worked for White's Creamery and later Bridgeman's Creamery until his retirement in 1985.

Joe was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot. He also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a time. In his spare time, Joe loved to fish and spent summers with his family at their lake cottage near Parshall, ND.

Survivors: wife, Mary, Minot; two sons, Chad Miller and Keith (Monica) Miller, both of Minot; three daughters, Valerie (Terry) Czosnek, Cedar Falls, IA, Deborah (Roland) Elker, Minot, and Carlotta Miller, Kenosha, WI; two grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Miller, Bismarck, ND, and Nicole (Mike) Sundhagen, Minot; one brother, George (Margaret) Miller, Dickinson; two sisters, Rose (Peter) Leiss, Dickinson, and Margaret Braun, Redding, CA; two sisters-in-law, Crystal Miller, Glendive, MT, and Marlys Miller, West Fargo, ND. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. His infant son, Dale; his parents, and six brothers, Peter, Pius, Christ, John, Martin and Zacheus, preceded him in death.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, December 13, 2003, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Prayer Service and Rosary Recitation: Friday, December 12, 2003, 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.

Visitation: Friday, December 12, 2003, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial: Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Surrey, ND.

Officiant: Father Gene Lindemann

Music: Kathy Borgen, accompanist, Ryan Drevlow, Song Leader
"How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings," "The Old Rugged Cross'" and "Amazing Grace"

Pallbearers: Family Members

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