Viola A. Miller died on Thursday, May 22, 2003, at her South Haven home. She was 85 years old. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven with Rev. Norman Hanan officiating. Burial followed in Fair Haven Cemetery. Friends called from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale, and one hour prior to services at the church. A prayer service was held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Viola was born on Oct. 26, 1917, in Fair Haven Township, Stearns County, to Louis and Elsie (Schmidt) Markwardt. She married George M. Miller on Dec. 14, 1941, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven; he preceded her in death on June 8, 2000. She was a homemaker and farmed with her husband near South Haven. Viola was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, her family, and socializing with friends. Viola was preceded in death by her husband George, daughter-in-law Mary Miller, and brother Leonard. She is survived by her children Shirley (and Ron) Klein of Richfield, and Larry (and Karen) Miller of South Haven; five grandchildren: James Klein of Eagan, Jeffrey Klein of Chaska, Melissa Fobbe of Annandale, Mark Miller of South Haven, and Michael Miller of Scottsdale, Ariz.; six great-grandchildren: Riley, Justin, Regan, Ryan and Joshua Miller, and Preston Fobbe. Pallbearers were Howard Schmidt, Darrell Schmidt, Don Daniels, Tim Fobbe, Joe Rathmann and Wylis Muehring. Music was provided by Mary Ann Reichard as organist with congregational hymns. Arrangements were by Dingmann Funeral Care of Annandale.
