Robert Miller

Robert J Miller, 87, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2010 at the St Cloud Hospital, St Cloud, Minnesota. Robert James Miller was born September 11, 1923 in Tamarack, MN. He grew up in Tamarack and as teenager moved with his family to a farm at Redwood Falls, MN. Later his family returned to Tamarack. On November 4, 1943 Robert was united in marriage to Gertrude Kari at Aitkin, MN. The couple made their home in Tamarack. In 1944 Robert joined the US Army and served in the Pacific and Japan. After the war Robert returned to Tamarack where he farmed. In 1952 he moved his family to Fairmount, ND. They were blessed with four daughters, Karen, Joan, Becky and Heidi. While in Fairmount, Robert worked at the local lumberyard. He also owned and operated a small school bus business with his father. In 1964 Robert moved to Mahnomen, MN where he managed a local lumberyard business. He later took a custodial and maintenance job with Mahnomen County and worked at the courthouse in Mahnomen until retiring in 1991. Robert and Gertrude moved to Alexandria, MN to be closer to their family. Following Gertrude?s death in 1993 Robert kept busy as a Green Thumb employee and worked for the Douglas County Historical Society. He also spent time helping out his son-in-law, Gary, by running errands for Becker Auto Repair. Robert was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In Mahnomen he was also a member of the American Legion. Robert liked to play cards and loved playing cribbage. Robert?s family was very special to him. He liked to help them out when could and loved spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. Robert lived for his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude; one sister, Florence Dyke; and five bothers, William, John, Harold, Gerald, and his twin bother, Richard Miller. Robert is survived by four daughters, Heidi Becker and husband, Gary, of Alexandria, Karen White and husband, Harry, of Champlin, MN, Becky Martodam and husband, Jim, of Moorhead, MN and Joan Johnson and husband, George, of Lakewood, CO; three grandchildren, Jason Martodam and wife, Crystal, Tracy Gratton and husband, Dave, and Adam Becker; seven great grandchildren, Cole, Kasey, Ashley and Lane Martodam and Brady, Mason and Gavin Gratton; one brother, Franklin ?Jiggs? Miller and wife, Eve, of Duluth, MN; one sister, Erlene Jensen of Redwood Falls; and three sisters-in-law, Betty Miller of Redwood Falls, Sharon Miller of Little Canada, MN and Agnes Miller of Phillips, Wisconsin. A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Rev. Lynndene Way will officiate. Kim Byrne will provide music. Interment will be in the Wright Cemetery at Wright, MN. Casket bearers include, Jason Martodam, Dave Gratton, Adam Becker, Gary Becker, Jim Martodam and George Johnson. The American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard accord military honors. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.