Milton J. Miller

In loving memory of

Milton J. Miller
August 23, 1924 - February 21, 2009

Milton John Miller was born on August 23, 1924 to Clarence & Alice (Brandt) Miller in rural Clayton, WI. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1943. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Amery, WI.

He was a Radarman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Cowpens during WWII and belonged to American Legion Post 206 in Windom.

On May 29, 1948 Milt married Lorraine Beecroft. They lived in River Falls, WI for twelve years where Milt graduated from River Falls State Teachers College (now the UW River Falls), and where they were blessed with four children.

He was employed at at Armour in South St. Paul before becoming a meat grader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They lived in Sioux City, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, and for over forty years in Windom where he graded meat at Caldwell Packing and Marshall Meats in Marshall, MN until retiring in 1988.

Milt loved music. He was a drummer in the dance band, 'The Admirals' while in High School, and 'Ray's Accordion Band' before entering military service. He has the distinction of bringing Barbershop music to Windom and establishing the organization in the community. He was a forty-year member of the Barbershop society SPEBSQSA.

Milt had a strong faith and was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior where he served as an elder and an usher for many years.

Always having a kind and encouraging word, Milt loved life and had an extraordinarily positive attitude and gracious spirit that he maintained throughout his life and even throughout his illness. He enjoyed conversation and had a quick wit and a gift for recalling a storehouse of jokes.

He enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting for many years as well as reading in his later years. He spent many hours at the library after retirement. He could tell you the name of any tree or any bird just by hearing their song.

Milton died on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 at his daughter's home in Somerset, WI at the age of 84.

Survivors include his wife of over sixty years, Lorraine Miller; three sons, Dave (Mercy) Miller of Chula Vista, CA; Dr. Joe (Cyndi) Miller of Wadena, MN; Kevin (Kathy) Miller of Roseville, MN; one daughter, Cindy (Mark) Johnson of Somerset, WI; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Mattson of Cushing, WI and Alice Boe of Platteville, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Milton is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jim and Merlin Miller; two sisters, Beulah Dittloff and Kathy Wells; one daughter-in-law, Mary K. Miller; and one grandson, Justin Berg.

Tributes

Dan&Linda Ortmann friends of the family wrote on Mar 1, 2009:

"Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you, as I know,even though you know Milt is at peace in heaven with our Lord,you will miss having him with you. I know he is with you in spirit,though!May God bless you all with peace in the wonderful memories you have of such a wonderful man!! We love you all,and will never forget Milt and his great smile and sense of humor!!!"

Loren and Evelyn friend wrote on Feb 28, 2009:

"Loren and Evelyn Hammer We will miss him and his wonderful caring ways he showed to all who knew him. Our sympathy to you Lorraine and your whole family."

close friend wrote on Feb 28, 2009:

"Lorraine and family,Our sincerest sympathy to all of you in the loss of such a very special person.We will remember all the fun times we had when the quartet sang at different events and quartet practice at our house was always something to look forward to.Milt was always so uplifting whenever you visited with him or met him and that laugh there will be no other like it. Hold all the special memories close to your heart and may God put his loving arms around you and hold you all in this difficult timeWe feel very blessed that we had the privilege of being his friends. Let us know when you get back to Windom and maybe we can go out for a cup of coffee together. Loren and Evelyn Hammer"