NEW HAMPTON - Robert J. "Red" Miller, age 80 of New Hampton died of endocarditis on Thursday, August 15, 2002 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph Center with Rev. Carl Schmitt and Rev. John Barnes celebrating the mass. Pallbearers were some of his many nephews; Ron Frantzen, Dave Frantzen, Scott Miller, Brian Miller, Joe Monfre and Marty Monfre. His grandchildren presented the offertory gifts and his children placed the pall on the casket. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with military honors by the Fae Stine American Legion Post #38 of New Hampton. Honorary pallbearers were the Knights of Columbus #1697. Visitation was 3-8 p.m. Sunday, August 18 at Hugeback Funeral Home, New Hampton, and an hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Survivors include one son: Randy Miller of New Hampton, and a daughter: Kris Montague and her husband John Breakwell of Los Altos, CA. Four grandchildren: Maggie Balik, and Christopher, Nicholas and Andrew Montague-Breakwell. One sister: Helen and her husband Wilbur Schafstad of Altamonte Springs, FL, and a brother: Tom Miller of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Madonna Corrigan, Monica Monfre and Therese Frantzen; two brothers, Donald and Paul Miller. A son, Kevan Miller in 1989, and a grandson Oliver Montague-Breakwell in 1987.

Robert Joseph Miller was born March 19, 1922 on the home farm near Lawler. He was the son of Matthew V. Miller and Mary D. McGinn Miller. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. He attended grade school at Mt. Carmel in Lawler until the family moved to New Hampton where he finished at St. Joseph's School. He then attended New Hampton High School, graduating in 1940.

We remember "Red" in many ways. For those who knew him as a young man he is remembered as a great athlete in high school excelling in all sports, and he was good looking as all the Miller boys were. He served in the U.S. Navy the last year of W.W. II and was discharged with a letter of commendation in 1946. After being discharged from the Navy he then returned to New Hampton where he engaged in farming with his father. Upon his father's death in 1956, he took over operation of the family farm north of New Hampton. He raised purebred Hampshire hogs and was involved with the Chickasaw County Pork Producers for many years, also serving as. president. He received many awards, not only for his animals, but also for his services. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus #1697 and a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #38.

He was briefly married in the early 1950's and then divorced. He raised his three children by himself. One of his favorite enjoyments in the last 20 years was farm auction-going. He could always be relied on to liven up the slow bidding or buy that last box. Whether he was at an auction, the grocery store, the truck stop, or at church, he always had a ready smile and the time to talk and joke. Red did what he loved most, he farmed his land and enjoyed his daily and seasonal work. His animals and his crops were everyday cares that he performed with ritual and consideration. For him there was a continuity and a satisfaction in belonging to New Hampton, St. Joseph's, and continuing the farming tradition on his parent's farm.

We remember him most for being part of the history of this small community. He was loved and well-known by many, many people over a very long time. He is a part of that circle of family and friends and community that only a small town can share in. We bless him for that and may he rest in peace.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Aug. 23, 2002 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters