REV. DONALD I. MILLER

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REV. DONALD I. MILLER 1929 - 2017 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing after a short battle with cancer, of Rev. Donald I. Miller at Selkirk Regional Hospital on August 7. He was predeceased by his parents, Curt and Eva (Strayer) Miller, sister Mary Lou and husband Larry (Dennhardt), first wife Phyllis Miller, and second wife Theresa (Hammarstrand) Miller. He is survived by children, Tim Miller (Ann) and Margaret (Randy West), stepchildren, Bruce Armstrong (David), Karen (Doug Petrick) and Catherine King (Earl), grandchildren, Ava Miller, Tim Miller (Nicole), Zach, Alex (Ali), and Christian West (Ashley), Andrew King (Ashley), Anders (Jennifer), Monica, and Stephanie Petrick, and great-grandchildren, Emma and Vada MaeLee, as well as special son from Ghana, Jim Mensah and children, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth. He is also survived by nephews, Gregg Dennhardt (Lori) and sons, Joel and Jeffery, and Paul Dennhardt (Jean) and daughters, Dehlia and Linnea. He will be very missed by special friend and love for the last three years, Diane Fiebelkorn and daughters, Sue (Guido) and Nan (Rodney) and families. Donald was born December 2, 1929 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the second of two children. In his youth, he studied dance with his sister, Mary Lou, and they performed at nightclubs throughout Pennsylvania (as "The Curtis Twins") and eventually New York City before Don received his calling to enter the ministry. Gene Kelly (yes, that Gene Kelly) was one of their dance teachers before he moved on to Broadway and Hollywood. Don attended Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, graduating with a History degree in 1954, then studied at the Lutheran Seminary there, graduating in 1958. He worked evening shifts to put himself through school, attending classes during the day. He served first in Oregon, but fell in love with Canada after being posted in Alberta, and was subsequently called to congregations in Meeting Creek, Camrose, and Edmonton, prior to moving to St. Mark's parish in Winnipeg in 1972. He had two children, Tim and Margaret, when he married Theresa Hammarstrand in 1977 (who had three children with her late husband Edward). With his beloved help-mate Terry, Don served many Winnipeg and rural Manitoba congregations over their 37-year marriage. He and Terry enjoyed the family cottage at Barrier Bay until her health became frail in 1997. They spent 17 years as snow birds in Mesa, enjoying community life and activities in their park. Trips south usually included stops in Illinois to visit "the kids" Tim and Margaret, their families and grandkids. Don was a kind man and beloved pastor and friend to many. He had a great sense of humour, loved golf and football (a Bomber season ticket holder for as long as we can remember), and could always be counted on to discuss Blue Bomber stats. He adored and cared uncomplainingly for his Terry in her final years struggling with dementia. For that, his family will always be grateful. He was lucky enough to find and enjoy a loving relationship with Diane (and her family) in his last three years, and our family is immensely grateful for their love for and care of Don, especially in his final days. We also wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Selkirk Hospital Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate, patient and professional care. A memorial service will take place on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberley Street. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Lutheran World Relief, the Alzheimer's Society or your charity of choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 19, 2017