In Memory of Kenneth Miller
Kenneth J. Miller, age 101, of Barron, died peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Barron Care and Rehab.
He was born October 29, 1918 in Prairie Farm to Herman Frederick “Dutch” Miller and Sarah Anna Esther (Meyer) Miller. He started school in 1924 at Pleasant Creek School and finished eighth grade in 1932 at Dority Creek School.
Ken worked at the Elmer and Esther Lien Farm in the Town of Arland where he met his future wife, Elaine Taber. Ken and Elaine were married on July 28, 1941 at the Cameron Parsonage.
In 1942, Ken was drafted into the service. He served as part of the Alasakan Defense in Amchitka, Aleution Islands and then later, in the European Theatre on the beaches of Normandy with the 30th Field Artillery (Headchargers). He was discharged on November 23, 1945.
In 1946, Ken went to work for Dominic Ritchie at Ritchie Auto and also filled in as a substitute U.S. mail carrier and Barron Area School District bus driver. He then owned and operated Miller Sanitation Service and worked at the City of Barron Landfill.
In his retirement years, Ken enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling but still drove bulldozer for his son, Bob, delivered Early Bird papers, drove for the Office on Aging with Elaine and volunteered at Mayo Northland Hospital. Ken also was active in the Barron/Maple Grove Fire Department for 23 years.
Ken is survived by a special daughter, Deloris (Herbert) Zabel; son, Robert J. (Anne) Miller; and daughter, Kathryn Miller, all of Barron. Grandchildren, Robert J. Jr. (Doreen) Miller of Barron; Sara Miller of Baltimore, MD; and Brigitte Miller of Barron; 11 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Sarah Miller; step-mother, Nina Miller; wife, Elaine Miller; sister, Ruby Usack; and granddaughter, Carrie M. Miller (4 weeks ago); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family services for Kenneth Miller will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Barron with Rev. Michael Nielsen officiating. Call in line for the funeral service is 888-505-1870 or 715-438-4200 (either will work); or facebook page for streaming is https://www.facebook.com/SalemEvangelicalLutheranChurchAndPreschool/. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2020 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday morning. Burial will be at the Wayside Cemetery in Barron.
Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.
Last Update: Jul 22, 2020 8:36 am CDT
