Theodore J. “Ted” Miller passed away on Friday December 7, 2018 at the Rugby, ND hospital.  Ted was born on January 13, 1931 in Bottineau, ND to Myrtle (Joern) & Theodore O. Miller.  Myrtle & Theodore were told by the doctor to take Ted home & have him baptized as soon as possible because he was not expected to survive.

Ted was raised on a farm near Deep, ND.  He graduated from High School in Russell, ND in 1949.  His only classmate was Shirley Bennett whom he later married on August 19, 1951.  Ted entered the service September 1, 1950.  He was with the 231^st Engineering Combat Battalion of Bottineau County.  While serving his country he participated in the testing of the atomic bombs in Desert Rock, NV.  These tests were done to see how men & their weapons could handle the blasts.  He was in nothing but a pup tent & afterwards the “fallout” was swept off with a broom!  However, Ted said at the time that “he wouldn’t have missed it for anything”.  He was discharged in 1952.  Ted had several jobs over the years; working for farmers, at the Russell school, Sweetheart Bakery in Minot, Standard Oil, Ned’s Lounge (his brother’s bar) in Bottineau, Ted’s Place (his very own bar) in Rugby & his final job for 22 years was managing the Centre Cinema Movie Theatre in Rugby.  Although his first marriage ended, Ted & Shirley had 5 children; Carla, Sarah, Randy, Jon & Penny.    On June 30, 1982 Ted married Luella (Saude) Anderson in Elko, NV.  With this second marriage Ted acquired 2 step-sons; David (DJ) & Mitch Anderson.

Ted loved to play baseball & horseshoes in his younger years.  He enjoyed hunting & fishing & passed his love of the outdoors to his sons.  Many hours were spent playing ball with all the kids.  He loved all sports & enjoyed watching his grandsons play hockey.  Ted & Lu loved to go camping.  He was very passionate about his yard.  Ted & Lu’s flowers were famous & they were so very proud to win “yard of the week”.  In his later years he became a wonderful woodworker & the things that he made for family members are so very cherished.  Ted was a jokester to the very end.  While in long-term care he spent countless hours coloring & placing stickers on everything.  He colored on his shoes, clothes, the walls, furniture, hats & even left his mark on the nurse’s cart!  He put color in an otherwise dreary situation, just like he put color in our lives as well. 

Ted is survived by his wife Luella of Rugby.  Daughters; Carla (Dwight) Marks of West Fargo, Sarah of West Fargo & Penny (Eric) Nostdahl of Bottineau.  Sons; Randy (Luann) of Velva & Jon Ted (Becky) of Bottineau.  Step-sons; David (Melissa) Anderson of Rugby & Mitchell (Yon) Anderson of Fargo.  Grandchildren;  Niki (Scott) Rogers of Scottsdale, AZ,  Jenny (Shane) Cossette of West Fargo, Tracy (Cory) Goodman of West Fargo, Jesse (Krystal) Nostdahl of Fargo, Evan Miller of Fargo, Aubrie Miller of Bottineau, Kyle Anderson of Bemidji, MN, Jane Anderson of Fargo & Elizabeth Anderson of Fargo.  Great Grandchildren;  Stephanie Cossette of Aberdeen, SD, Brandon Cossette of Fargo, Wesley Nephew of West Fargo, Zoey & Khloe Cossette of West Fargo & Tayton Almberg of Bottineau.  Sisters; Elaine (Al) Fiskum of Minot & Marilyn (Gary) Rooks of Williston.  Brothers; Don of Chico, CA & Byron (Bobbi-Jo) of Grand Junction, CO.  Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Ned & Sister Darlene (Don) Ballantyne. 

The many memories of Ted will be cherished by his family & friends forever.  Remember the good times!  Ted was a great person & he loved his family & his country. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church, Rugby with burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby

Visitation Wed. from 5:00 to & 7:30  p.m. with a time of prayer & sharing of memories starting at 7:30 p.m. all in the Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service in the church on Thurs.

Military Honors Accorded by The American Legion Post 23 Honor Color Guard, Rugby & The North Dakota Military Honors Detail

Casket Bearers: Grandchildren: Jenny Cossette, Tracy Goodman, Jesse Nostdahl, Evan Miller, Niki Rogers, Aubrie Miller. Kyle Anderson, Jane Anderson & Elizabeth Anderson