MARJORIE A. (BIESSENER) MILLER

Marjorie A. Miller, 85 of Devils Lake formerly of rural Lawton, ND passed away on Friday evening, March 11, 2016 at the Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake, ND in the loving care of her family. Marjorie Agnes, one of ten children of Matthew and Clara (Menning) Biessener was born on July 6, 1930 at Akeley, Minnesota. She was reared and educated in Akeley, graduating from Akeley High School in 1948. She moved to Fargo and worked in an Auto Parts Store for a couple of years, then began employment as the bookkeeper for Deveau Music Company, working there for three years. At a dance in Fargo, Marjorie would be swept off her feet by Cecil Miller and they were married on October 20, 1951 in Akeley. They made their home in Fargo until 1954 when they moved to the family farm in Cato Township, rural Lawton. They would waltz through life, working side by side on the farm, raising sheep and cattle. Marjorie also was an avid gardener, planting to processing and canning and sharing the produce with family and friends. When Marge moved to North Dakota she saw the flat, barren land and beautified her surroundings by planting trees and tending her flower beds. Marge and Cecil retired in 1988, remained on the farm until 2002 when they moved into Devils Lake. Marge was never idle and enjoyed membership in the Edmore Homemaker’s Club, VFW Auxiliary and Women’s Curling Club. She was always an active, devoted member of the church, serving as church organist at Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Benedict’s. After moving to Devils Lake a member of St. Joseph Church, Altar Society and Catholic Daughters. She also was a generous volunteer of time and talent at the Senior Center Foot Care Program and helping children with their reading through the Foster Grandparent Program. She was an excellent seamstress, enjoyed many crafts and quilting. Loving family include her husband of 64 years, Cecil; sons Larry (Ida) Miller and Greg Miller, all of Devils Lake, daughter Wanda (James) Kratochvil, Park River, ND; grandchildren Christopher (Annette), Kevin (Liz), Nick (Jennifer) and Gene Thompson and Christopher (Catherine) Kratochvil; great grandchildren Aaron, Josh, Chance, Kendra, Skylar, Nathan, Scott, Logan, Eric, Sydnee and Ryan; siblings Louise Czeczok, Park Rapids, MN, Irene Sterner, Muscatine, Iowa, Jerome (Arlene) Biessener, Nevis, MN, Kathryn (Marvin) Menge, Sioux Falls, SD, Lorraine (Don) Schmitz, Minneapolis, MN; sisters-in-law Faye Biessener, Mendota Heights, MN, Florence Retterath, Valley City, ND and Rosemary Miller, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law Jean Miller; sister Mary Biessener; brothers Ralph, Joe and Bernie Biessener and in-laws Arthur and Eva Miller. Mass of the Resurrection for Marge will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, rural Webster, ND. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, March 14th from 4:00 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 Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers will be Gene, Kevin, Chris, Eric and Logan Thompson and Christopher Kratochvil. Gift Bearers will be Judy Miller, Miriam Rolczynski and John Miller and reading the Scriptures will be Dennis Miller. Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Audrey Myklebust.