Joseph A. Miller, loving husband, father, and brother, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 4th, 2012, at the age of 84.
Joe Miller leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Donna Mae (Koffler) Miller of Yelm WA; his children Terry Joseph Miller (Carol) of Olympia WA; Curtis Alan Miller (Lana) of Pocatello ID; Barbara Marie Richardson (Anthony) of Olympia WA; Kim Mark Miller of Gillette WY, and Jody Ann Miller (Heidi) of Salt Lake City UT. He is also survived by four sisters: Betty Kuntz, Dorothy Tormaschy (Bill), Cathy Machunze, and Eveleyn Wehner (Richard).
Joe had 12 grandkids: Amanda, Ricky, Tiffany, Tara, Traci, Tori, Taylor, Nicholas, Misty, Christopher, Tasha and Zach. He also had 14 great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Austin, Zander, Sina, Brynlee, Spencer, Kylie, Salan, Phelan, Daija, Kegan, Magnus, Faith and Halo.
Joe was predeceased by his sister Lucille Tormaschy (Victor), Frank Miller (Lorreta Miller who still lives in ND), Art Miller (Pauline), John Miller (Maggie who lives in WA), Mike Miller (Mary), Rose Kuntz (Adman), Laura Weiler (George), Anna Marie Miller and Florian Miller.
Joe Miller was born on December 27, 1927, in Dickinson, the son of Joseph M. and Rose Marie (Huthmacher) Miller. Dad enjoyed his early years on the family farm where he would help plow the fields with his very own tractor and tend to the livestock.
Joe served his country as a Marine during the Korean War from March 19, 1952 to March 9, 1954. He returned to North Dakota where he married Donna Mae (Koffler) Miller on July 19, 1955. After all five of his children were born, Dad got a job with the Premium Corporation, which took him out of North Dakota, but his heart remained in his homeland. Joe left a lot of heart prints on people wherever he went. He always looked out for people and had a rare quality that drew people to him. Dad was a kind, honest, hard working, strong, quiet and reserved man who brought so much laughter and happiness into the lives he touched. Dad was silly and loved to play jokes on people. His great sense of humor was passed down to his children, much to the dismay of their spouses.
Joe retired from the Premium Corporation in 1992, and kept himself busy by delivering pizza and volunteering at the local hospital. He also continued to do the things he loved: gardening (he would sit in his garden with his dog on his lap and eat carrots and radishes surrounded by cows and chickens) and always building another shed. I will always remember the look on his face as he sat tall as he proudly drove his new tractor into the newly built shed only to realize the tractor was longer than the shed.
Dad’s final 5 years were spent in the State of Washington where he found a passion for gambling. He played his favorite slot machines for the last time 8 days before his passing. Dad had a full life but what we are most proud to say, he was our Dad. Our Father will be missed but not forgotten.
On March 4th, Dad earned his angel’s wings and will finally return home to his beloved farmlands of North Dakota. Graveside will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery, Dickinson. Reception to follow at St Joseph Catholic Church, 240 E. Broadway St, Dickinson.
Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.FuneralAlternatives.org
Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Lacey. 360-491-2222.
