Funeral services for 82-year-old Donald R. Miller of Windom, Minnesota, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 8, 2014, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Windom, located at 1157 3rd Avenue.
Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Windom. Military honors will be provided by the Windom American Legion Post #206.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at LaCanne Family Funeral Home in Windom, located at 2280 6th Avenue. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Saturday.
Donald Rudy Miller, member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Windom was born to Edward and Clara Winkelman on February 19, 1932 at Calamus, Iowa and was baptized in Calamus. He was later adopted by Peter and Margaret Miller and grew up in Mason City, Iowa where he was confirmed in his faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on April 14, 1946. He graduated from Mason City Public High School in 1950. After attending Mason City Junior College, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
On August 29, 1952 Don married Patricia Ann Nolte, his wife of 62 years, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota. Following their marriage, he served in the United States Air Weather Service at Frankfurt on Main, Germany. He was then assigned duty at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon his Honorable Discharge, Don and Pat made their home in Mankato, Worthington, Brewster and Windom, Minnesota. Don received his Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from Mankato State University. He taught Middle School Art in Worthington, and was a School Counselor at Brewster and Windom.
In 1975, Don became a full-time Aid Association for Lutherans District Representative. He retired from that position in 1994. He then returned to teaching as a substitute in Windom, Mountain Lake, Worthington and the Alternative Learning Center in Windom. He was a Test Administrator for the Armed Services/Vocational Aptitude Test from 2005-2011.
Don served his Lord as a Sunday School and Bible Class teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Choir member, Elder, member of the Education Committee, President and Vice-President of the Congregation and Circuit Youth Counselor He was a faithful member and treasurer of the Men’s Bible Class. As a member of the Gideon’s, he led Bible Studies at the Windom Law Enforcement Center. He was on the Windom City Charter Committee. He assisted with English Second Language classes and was a member of the Big Buddies Advisory Board and served as Election Judge.
Don had a great love for teaching young people and working with families. His hobbies included golf, reading and art, especially pencil sketching.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. His passing is mourned by his wife, and children, Douglas (Mary) Miller of Lakeshore, Minnesota, Denise Miller of Windom, David (Christe) Miller of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Ann (John ) Gannon of Circle Pines, Minnesota and four grandchildren, Danny and Tim Miller and Erin and Lauren Gannon; two sisters; Shirley Pfeil of Fairmont, Minnesota, Ann Chatfield of Deming, New Mexico; cousin Gina (Paul) Schuler of Rochester, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers and two sisters and a preborn son.