Cecil J. Miller

Cecil J. Miller, 93 of Devils Lake, lifelong Cato Township farmer, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Cecil John, son of Arthur J. and Eva (Zettler) Miller was born on April 30, 1923 on the family farm in Cato Township, rural Lawton, ND. Cecil would live much of his life on this farm. He was reared in Cato Township, attended the Cato Township School and graduated from Edmore High School where he participated in basketball and baseball. All his older brothers had been drafted into Military Service so Cecil was the son who stayed back to continue farming with his parents. When the brothers returned, Cecil then took his turn, entered the United States Army on April 10, 1946, served with the ALCHI Military Government Team, with the motor pool division in Occupied Japan and was honorably discharged on September 16, 1947 with the rank if TEC/5. After his discharge, Cecil attended the Hanson Mechanical School in Fargo and received certification in auto mechanics and welding. While attended a dance, he met Marjorie Biessener and love and marriage followed and they wed on October 20, 1951 at Akeley, MN. They made their home in Fargo until 1954 when they returned to the family farm in Cato Township. Cecil had come home to his passion of farming, being a true steward of the land he loved, tending crops and raising cattle and sheep. But most importantly, living a faith-filled life, providing for his wife and family and counting each day among his many blessings. Cecil and Marge retired in 1988, remained on the farm until 2002 when they moved into Devils Lake. Marge died on March 11, 2016. Cecil never considered farming just work, it was his favorite pastime. He did enjoy helping with the garden in later years. Cecil was community minded and served on the Cato Township Board and the ASC Board for many years. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Benedict’s and St. Joseph Catholic Churches and life member of the Knights of Columbus. He took on the burden of being a Minnesota Twins fan through the good and bad times. He always enjoyed watching his kids and grandkids in their sporting events and school activities and even after they were grown, he continued to keep up with several youth sporting activities in the Lake Region area. Loving family include his sons Larry (Ida) Miller and Greg Miller, all of Devils Lake and daughter Wanda (James) Kratochvil of 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, Erick, Sydnee and Ryan; sister Florence Retterath, Valley City, ND; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Rosemary Miller, Devils Lake, Louise Czeczok, Park Rapids, MN, Irene Sterner, Muscatine, IW, Jerome and Arlene Biessener, Nevis, MN, Kathryn and Marvin Menge, Sioux Falls, SD, Lorraine and Don Schmitz, Minneapolis, MN and Faye Biessener, Mendota Heights, MN; many nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge; daughter-in-law Jean Miller; brothers Ralph Miller, Walter (Mary) Miller, Clarence (Bernice) Miller, Vernon (Agnes) Miller; in-laws Matthew and Clara Biessener; brothers-in-law Wes Retterath, Ralph (Ruth) Biessener, Joe (Stevie) Biessener and Bernie Biessener and sister-in-law Mary Biessener. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. 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 from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 2:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Cecil will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Marge at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, rural Webster, ND.