Miller, Arthur "Art" Joseph (1931-2013)
MILLER, KANNE, HARDER, BENGFORD, RICE, SCHMIDT
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 9/21/2013 at 18:17:21
Arthur "Art" Joseph Miller
December 11, 1931 - August 31, 2013Alta, Iowa
Arthur Joseph Miller, 81, of Alta, Iowa, passed away on August 31, 2013, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa, after a long battle with illness.
“Art” Miller, son of Andrew P. and Teresa J. (Kanne) Miller and loving husband of Elizabeth (Harder) Miller, was born on December 11, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa, at St. Anthony’s Hospital. Baptized in Carroll, he received his first communion and was confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa. After completing grade school at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Early, he attended high school at St Mary’s in Storm Lake.
Art began work with the Storm Lake Auction Company in 1947, becoming weigh-master after his first five years. He also worked as truck driver, mechanic, and farmer, raising cattle, hogs, and crops on the family farm. In 1954, he was hired by the Buena Vista County Maintenance Department as a heavy equipment operator. After gaining experience with all types of heavy equipment over the next ten years, he was appointed Foreman of the drainage crew in 1964.
On December 29, 1964, Art married Elizabeth Harder at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons, Douglas and Curtis.
In 1967, Art began Miller Farm Drainage. With hard work and dedication, he established a successful business that served hundreds of farmers over northwest Iowa for the next forty years. In time, he expanded his business to include auto salvage, snow removal, and general contracting. He also started raising crops on the family farm. In addition, he served as a member of the Iowa Chapter of the Land Improvement Contractors Association for more than thirty years.
Art enjoyed fishing, gardening, and traveling. He also liked steam shows, antique shows, and tractor pulls. He had a life-long passion for racing which started when he would drag race Model As with his brother, Mel, and which continued through his attending the races at the Buena Vista Raceway. In particular, however, he loved meeting and talking to his customers and friends while out in the community. He was well known and well liked throughout.
A member of the St. Mary’s parish for more than sixty years and of the Knights of Columbus, Art had a rich faith in God manifested in all aspects of his life. He was deeply devoted to his family. His loss will be felt by all his family and friends.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Elizabeth Miller, of Alta, Iowa; his sons, Douglas Miller, of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Curtis (Kristi) Miller, of Geneva, Illinois; his granddaughters, Kelsi and Elle, of Geneva, Illinois; his sisters, Irma (Tom) Bengford, of Garden Grove, California, and Monica (Dick) Rice, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Joan Miller, of Storm Lake, Iowa; his brother- and sister-in-law, Ron and Jean Schmidt, of Bloomington, Minnesota; and his sister-in-law, Mary Harder, of Tucson, Arizona; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Teresa; his brothers, Richard and Melvin; his sister, Ruth; and two infant siblings, William and Rita.
Visitation: 3:00-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 3:00 p.m. on September 03, 2013, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., September 04, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa. Vigil Service: 7:00 p.m. followed by a KC Rosary at 7:30 p.m., September 03, 2013, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa.
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