Robert “Sonny” Miller
84
Thursday, Jan. 24
Viborg
Robert “Sonny” Martin Miller, was born May 31, 1934, to Martin Miller and Ida Peterson on his parents’ farm in Turner County, rural Viborg. He attended school and graduated high school from Viborg in 1952.
Sonny enlisted in the Navy, sailed on the USS Ticonderoga and served our country from 1952 to 1956. During his time in the Navy, he traveled to many places, made numerous friends along the way and proudly served his country.
He married his bride Barbara Kay Bauer on April 21, 1957, and they began their life together. From this union, four sons and one daughter were born. Robert Martin “Marty”, Jr. was born Dec. 18, 1957, followed by Randal Mark, “Mark”, Dec. 14, 1958, Ross Milton “Mick”, May 14, 1960, and Richard Michael, “Mike”, Jan. 25, 1963. In 1964, their only daughter Karen Marie was born, Sept. 30.
Early in their years together, Sonny and Barb primarily farmed, while Barbara taught school and they raised their young family on the family farm near Viborg. In April of 1986, Sonny and Barb sold the family farm to their son Mike where he and his family still reside. Sonny and Barb purchased a house in town and spent many hours updating, restoring woodwork and renovating this house where they would then reside as Sonny, in May 1986 took the job as the maintenance supervisor of the City of Viborg.
In March 1996, having never been so much as hospitalized, Sonny became critically ill with a brain stem cerebral aneurysm and underwent a very complicated surgery to repair an aneurysm and spare his life. Following many days in Mayo and much time in and out of rehabilitation facilities working fearlessly and relentlessly through hours of physical, occupational and speech therapy, the man who was left unable to eat, speak, or walk after surgery slowly regained his speech, ability to eat and the ability to walk independently.
In January of 2016, Sonny and Barbara moved into the Pioneer Villa and later moved into the nursing home as health conditions necessitated.
Besides his love for the Navy, life on the farm and his family, Sonny enjoyed being active and was a very social person. He was very passionate about what he believed in, was very proud of his Danish heritage and his pride and joy were not only his kids but his grandkid and great-grandkids. He approached life with a positive attitude and made the best of each day. His life’s mantra was that the course of his day could be determined a great deal by your attitude and approach to it. And those who knew him well and greeted him daily would hear him utter, “Perfect”, in response to how he was when asked in greeting.
Second only to his love for his bride and his family, were his great fondness of Ford products, John Deere because “nothing runs like a deer” and his admiration for all the offspring (grandkids and great-grandkids) that are here as a result of his and Barb’s union.
During a conversation with Sonny, one thing seldom left out was a bragging comment about his family, especially the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren all of whom he was very proud.
He was known by people near and far and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer with most anyone who would listen to him. He enjoyed the community of Viborg and cherished his many close friendships. He was a “social butterfly” and especially enjoyed his time at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home. He kept active and social and was especially honored to be crowned Valentine Day King in February 2018 along with his bride Barbara who was crowned queen. This will always be remembered as a special day.
Surviving children and extended family: Robert Martin (Marty), Jr., Susan (Nick) Barbour, and Sally Miller; Randal Mark (Mark), Randal, Jr. Reece Miller; Ross Milton (Mick), Chasity (Justin) Oswald, Shannon (Mike) Shlapkohl; Richard Michael (Mike), Denise, Samantha, Kimberly, Michelle and Martin; Karen Knudsen. Jordan, (Ashley), MiKayla, (Kyle), Sage, Keeley (Cory) Jacobsen, Tori. Many nieces and nephews and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry also survived him on his legacy.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 28 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Viborg.
Arrangements provided by Hofemeister Jones Funeral Home.