Michael Miller

Michael V. Miller departed this life in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by those who loved him to become the Guest of Honor when he joined in celebration with his Creator in Heaven on September 18, 2011. He left his earthly body because of brain cancer, but today he is walking with our creator in a perfect body free from pain and disease. Michael Vern Miller was born in Long Beach, California on March 4, 1947 to Raymond and Vernice (Miller) Lord. He was adopted as an infant to his maternal Aunt and Uncle, Wayne and Delores Miller and brought into their loving family.The family settled in the Iron Range area of northern Minnesota where he went to school and was confirmed in the Catholic Church in the Embarrass, MN area. At the age of 17 he joined the US Navy and proudly defended our country during the Vietnam War during the years of 1964 to 1968. He was stationed out of Long Beach, CA on the aircraft carrier the USS Yorktown and completed tours to the South China Sea, Sea of Japan and the Philippines during his tour of duty. Mike made a career out of service to others by educating and protecting individuals in the banking and insurance industry. He started his career at Grand Forks Federal Savings and Loan and then moved to the insurance field full time with Berg Insurance, Miller Insurance and then in the financial market with Harvest Financial Services. His career was abruptly ended in June of 2009 with the discovery of brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme. Despite the odds, he managed to prove all the original predictions wrong and was able to enjoy life with his family until the cancer took away his speech and thought process. He is survived by his wife and soul mate Karla Burger Deck; children Stephen (Marnie) Miller, Darryn (Stephanie) Deck, Jon Ryan Miller, and Emily Miller (fiancé Andrew Haen); Grandchildren, Jacob and Alexandra Miller, Ella and Madden Deck; Brothers and Sisters, Richard (Norma) Miller, Walter, Benjamin (Theresa) Miller, Kenneth (Peggy) Miller, Eileen (Don) Landers, Paul (Donna) Miller, Marsha True, Lynn (Debbie) Miller; His Birthmother Vernice Miller Boomgarten and previous wives Jeanne Kay LaValley and Katherine Garritson. He was preceded in death by brothers, Brian and Timothy and his parents Wayne and Delores Miller. Celebration of his life will be held at Hope Evangelical Covenant Church, 1601 17th Ave South, Grand Forks at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday September 22, 2011. Visitation will be held at the church beginning from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Military honors presented by the North Dakota National Guard Funeral Honors together with American Legion Post #157 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3817, East Grand Forks, MN. Memorials are suggested to Brian Cancer Research www.virtualtrials.com/miller