Thomas Miller

Thomas Frederick Miller

Thomas F. Miller, 77, Towner, ND passed away Monday, March 19, 2018 while walking near his home.

Thomas Frederick Miller was born on April 7, 1940 in Rugby, ND. He was the son of John F. and Min Miller. His father was a life-long rancher in Towner and his mother had been a beloved first grade teacher prior to Tom’s birth. Min passed away when Tom was very young. John then married Violet Stewart when Tom was six years old, and she took on a mother role until her death.

Tom attended Towner Public Schools all twelve years, graduating high school in 1958. He enjoyed and had many fond memories playing football, basketball, and baseball while in high school and remained an avid sports fan for the rest of his life. Tom was active in 4-H, FFA, and the Student Council, serving as the Class President all four years of high school. Tom joined the United States Marine Corps in 1959 and served until being honorably discharged in 1963. He then went back to the family ranch and attended college at NDSU during the winter quarters to complete his Master in Ag Economics degree. Tom then remained on the family ranch the remainder of his life. Tom married Susan Johner on November 20, 1965 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Towner.

Tom had a life-long love of Towner High School athletics and enjoyed talking about the teams to anyone who would listen. He also was a history buff and spent countless hours reading, researching and sharing with friends. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and getting them to play gin with him in the last several years, and of course telling them old stories (with some repetition, ha!). Tom loved to drive around and was known for dropping in on friends and neighbors for lengthy visits, which brought him so much joy. Tom was especially proud of his service to the United States Marine Corps and loved to put Marine Corps memorabilia on everything he could (without getting in too much trouble with Sue!).

Survivors include Sue, his wife of fifty-two years; three children, Troy (Jodi) of Valley City; Traci (Kevin) of Fargo; Roxy (Joe) of Oakland, CA; grandchildren, Ashlee (22) of Grand Forks; Hannah (20) and Riley (18) of Valley City; other relatives and friends. Preceding Tom in death was father John and his two mothers Min and Violet.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24^th at the Zion Lutheran Church in Towner. Wally Fretland, officiating.

Friends may greet the family from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. all at the church in Towner.

Posted Condolences:

Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Miller family. Love from Mike, Holly, Jacob, Chelsey and Braeden Olauson

Tom was not only a good friend and neighbor. He was someone who taught us to look at life as a learning experience and to look at each new day as a new adventure. He showed us the value of family and always enjoyed talking about his. His death is a sad experience and our sympathy goes out to the family. I will miss Tom.
Anthony and Ann Jorde

Our thoughts and prayers to the Miller family. We are heartbroken to hear of this tragedy. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of of you all from all the countless sleepovers I had at your place. Your family will always hold a special place in my heart. Hugs to you all, with an extra hug to you Roxy!
Darlene Kleinknecht

From two Ole Marines.....SEMPER FI
Dave and Mindy

Sue and family, I'm so sorry for your loss! Please know that you will all be our thoughts and prayers. May family and friends give you comfort and God give you peace.
Glenda and Russell Fauske

Sue - I am so sad to hear of Tom. he was such a kind man and I always enjoyed visiting with him. Thoughts and prayers from my family to yours during this time of grief.
Mike Kangas

Our Dear Sue and Family,
There are no words to tell you how shocked and saddened we were to hear of Toms untimely death. You were all great friends, and always so wonderful to visit with. May our Precious Lord be with you, may He give you strength in the days ahead and finally the Peace that only He can give.
I wish we could be with you, but unable to travel to far, but we assure you that our love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gods Blessings,
Bob and Mary

Our sympathies to Tom's family. Such a tragic loss.
Vern and Dorothy Kongslie

Sue, so hard to put into words how we felt when we heard of the loss of Tom. May God give you strength and peace during this time you are facing.
Jim and Diane Sailer

Sue and Family
With deepest sympathy as you remember Tom. Our thoughts are with you.
Tom and Mary Claeys

So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and condolences go to the Miller family in the loss of your father and grandfather. Blessings to you all.
Mark & Karen Askerooth

My deepest condolences to the Miller family. I am the hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Bismarck and Tom spent many hours collecting river data for me over the years. Tom and I had many an interesting conversations about non-work topics (me also being a Marine) and his love for life, family, and the Corps were always on display with him. The world is not a better place with the loss of Tom.
Semper Fi, Tom.
Allen Schlag and our staff here at the NWS office.

Dear Sue & Family. I am still in a state of shock at the loss of my Best Friend ever! God has blessed me with such a faithful Buddy! We were Baptized together @ Zion Lutheran Church in Towner & grew up together with many many Memories! We were both Jarheads(US MARINES) & never waivered from our love for the Corps & each other! I am still reaching for the Cell Phone to call my Dear Freind!
My thoughts & Prayers to Sue & Family! The Seekinâ€™ Deacon Barry Beckett

Sue and Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you on Tomâ€™s death. I always enjoyed seeing and visiting with Tom on my all too infrequent visits to Towner. He was a genuinely affable and interesting person to see and talk with. I am sad to know that he has been taken from us too soon.
David Muhs

Sue and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was such a wonderful ,wonderful man and will be deeply missed. I am so fortunate that I was able to call Tom my friend, as did my father before me, and my grandfather before him. I will miss the talks and stories between Tom and Barry and I,... those two rascals always had the best stories. Tom was such a kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with you all , today and always.
With deepest sympathy and blessings, Cathy Follman Cox

Dear Sue and family, we are so sad to hear of Tom's passing. We have so many wonderful memories of our high school years with Tom. We especially remember his great smile. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. May God's grace comfort your hearts and your mines during this very difficult time.
Bob & Joan (Burkhardsmeier) Krou

I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing. Prayers for you Sue and your family.
JOAN ULMER

May God wrap his arms around you and your family and give you strength during this difficult time. Prayers coming your way.
louise and elmer Dukart-Dickinson

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