Willis ‘Bud’ Miller — Blooming Prairie

Willis "Bud" Miller, 89, of Blooming Prairie, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Prairie Manor Care Center.

He was born Aug. 9, 1925, in Wanamingo, to Edward and Nettie (Anderson) Miller. A Kenyon High School graduate, Bud served his country in the U.S. Navy from June 1943 until his honorable discharge in June 1946. He served as a radio technician aboard the destroyer USS Craven which saw service in the South Pacific, North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. On May 5, 1951, he was united in marriage to Ruby G. Thompson at Aspelund Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Wanamingo. The couple lived in Blooming Prairie their entire married life and raised two children. Bud worked in the telephone industry for more than 50 years, retiring from G.T.E. in 1992. In his retirement, he worked for Frontier Communications and later for KMTelecom of Kasson.

Bud was a member of Prairie Masonic Lodge 123 in Blooming Prairie, and played for many years in the Osman Temple Shrine Band. He was also a member of the Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52 and the Blooming Prairie V.F.W. Post 878. A longtime member of First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, Bud taught Sunday school, served as trustee, and was past president. He was a former member of the Blooming Prairie Lions Club, the Blooming Prairie City Council, the Blooming Prairie Development Corporation, and the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association. Bud's favorite pastimes included the annual family vacations up north, golfing, dancing, and watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He especially enjoyed his roses.

Bud is survived by his wife, Ruby Miller of Blooming Prairie; his sons, Brian Miller of Sparta, Wis., and Reed Miller of Byron; sisters, Carol Hammarberg of Philadelphia, Pa., Marie (Roger) Carroll of Ponchatoula, La., and Dorothy (Charles) Schulz of Woodbury; brother-in-law, Dewey (Dorothy) Thompson of Zumbrota; and sister-in-law, Harriet Jackson of Welch. Honored extended family members include, Jim and Kelli O'Connor, their children, Katie (Sam) Wencl and Bennett, Patrick O'Connor (Krystal Klemmensen) and Megan O'Connor (Jake Lightly), all of Blooming Prairie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Nettie Miller, and his sister, Sandra (Dr. Ron) Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, with Pastors Heidi Heimgartner and Charles Leonard officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, with a 7 p.m. Masonic service, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment with military honors by the Blooming Prairie Color Guard will be at Blooming Prairie Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie, or to recipient of donor's choice.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at worlein.com .