CLARENCE A. MILLER

Clarence A. Miller, 98 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, rural Webster. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, December 21st from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Clarence A. Miller born January 11, 1916 to Arthur and Eva (Zettler) Miller at the farm in rural Lawton, ND. He was educated at Cato Township School. He farmed with his father until joining the US Army on December 11, 1942. He was in basic training at Camp Stewart, GA with the 481st AAA Air Wing Battalion, Battery D. He served in Normandy, France, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Battery D landed at St. Laurent, SURMUR on June 16, 1944 as support troops for the 26th and 29th Infantry. Battery D was the number one section from the front lines. Clarence was discharged on September 14, 1945 and returned to the States on the Queen Mary in October of 1945. Clarence married the love of his life, Bernyce Emma Nelson on December 29, 1941 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, rural Webster. When he returned from the War to his wife and 2 young sons, he continued farming in Cato Township for 6 years until purchasing a farm in Harding Township. He had a great love for the soil and growing his crops. He farmed until his retirement in 1975. He continued to live on the farm, and work with his son Ed, for several more years. His beloved Bernyce died of cancer, at the young age of 30, leaving Clarence with 6 young children to raise. His mother Eva helped care for the family for 5 years. He married Jeanette Legacie Kovarik on October 21, 1957 at the Catholic Rectory in Starkweather, ND. To this union four children were born. The divorced in 1970. Clarence married Emma Berg Warner on October 22, 1976 at Crookston, MN. Emma was a lovely and caring lady. They enjoyed traveling, attending Clarence’s Army reunions and just being with family. Emma died November 19, 1998. On October 15, 1999, Clarence married Mable McCormick in Grand Forks, ND. They entered Heartland Assisted Living in August of 2007. They enjoyed thirteen years of Senior living. They entered Heartland Care Center in May of 2011. Mable died October 19, 2012. Clarence was a life member of VFW Post #756 and the Knights of Columbus Council 1779. Clarence was well cared for at Heartland and our family will always be thankful for the loving and compassionate care. Clarence is survived by his children Allan Miller, Cando, ND, Edward (Bonnie) Miller, Rose (Dennis) Windjue and Nick Miller all of Devils Lake, Tim Miller, Fargo, ND, Ruby (Mark) Oakley, Maroni, UT, Linda (Max) Emmett, Harvey, ND and Barb (Randy) Strate, Spring City, UT; 20 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; eleven step-children and their families; brother Cecil (Marge) Miller, DL; sister Florence Retterath, Valley City, ND and sister-in-law Rosemary Miller, Devils Lake and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Bernyce, Emma and Mable; daughter Virginia Miller-Scott; son Jonathan Miller; grandson Toby Miller; great granddaughters Megan Beth LaMotte and Selah Pappenfuss; brothers Ralph, Walter and Vernon Miller. Casket Bearers will be Zach Mohs, Mike Mohs, Todd LaMotte, Dean Windjue, Dale Miller and Greg Miller; Reading the Scriptures will be grandson, Dale Miller; Gift Bearers will be granddaughters Kari Mohs, Trista Severinson and Sheila LaMotte; Eucharistic Minister will be Dennis Miller and music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Audrey Myklebust