Carrol Miller Obituary

Obituary of Carrol Edward Miller
January 23, 1939-May 24, 2025

Carrol passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on May 24 at 86 years of age. He was born in Osmond, Nebraska, to Orville and Freda Miller. During the birth he experienced an injury that partially crippled his right side. His mother was worried that he wouldn't have any friends, but he ended up with many. He grew up on the family farm near Oakdale. Because of his handicap, he often helped in the kitchen. He knew how to butcher a chicken as well as clean and cook it.

He earned a two-year teaching degree at Wayne State College in Nebraska and then went on to earn a degree in theology at Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, which was associated with the then Worldwide Church of God. At age 21 he was hired by the church in the personal correspondence department and stayed there for 34 years. By retirement, he was supervising the department. He felt ministry was his calling. He would tell people he was actually more of a teacher than a preacher, but would sometimes start preaching anyway.

He and his family moved to Esko, Minnesota, in 1997, and he pastored a small congregation in Grand Rapids for 15 years. By then the church became known as Grace Communion International.
He was a dedicated gardener and lover of good food. He felt that if you planted a tree, it should be one that bore fruit. Other interests included hunting and fishing, beekeeping and candle making, and making diamond willow canes and walking sticks. He was also handy in the kitchen when the need arose.
Carrol was married to his first wife Peggy for 24 years before she succumbed to cancer. He married Carol Morken in June of 1987. They have a daughter, Kathryn, son-in-law Mike, and grandchildren Coy and Auni Mae.

Carrol kept in touch with his Miller relatives by phone after everyone was scattered. There were five children in the family: Larry, Norman, Carrol, Warren, and Connie. Carrol is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren; and by siblings Larry in California and Connie Faber in Washington state; and nieces and nephews that he enjoyed when they visited his California home. He was preceded in death by Larry's wife Gabrielle, Norman and his wife Sally, Warren and his wife Gloria, and Connie's husband Howard.