Eugene (Gene) J. Miller

Eugene (Gene) J. Miller, 92, of rural Kellogg, MN died Thursday afternoon, October 9, 2025, at Green Prairie Rehabilitation Center in Plainview, MN, surrounded by his family, after complications from his battle with cardiac amyloidosis.Gene was born to Arthur (Art) and Genevieve (Schmit) Miller on August 15, 1933, at their home in Reads Landing, MN. He graduated as Valedictorian of his high school class at St. Felix Catholic School in Wabasha, MN in 1951. Three years later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for two years with the 101st Airborne Division Para-troopers (Screaming Eagles) from January 1954 through December 1955.On June 6, 1956, Gene married Darlene (Wolf) Miller at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and they made their first homes in the Kellogg, MN, area where he worked for years as a carpenter. In 1961, Gene and Darlene bought a 200-acreage farmstead in the Conception/Kellogg, MN, area which became the family homestead for almost 30 years and is currently run by his son and grandson. Gene loved being a farmer, and it brought him great joy to be outside working the land and growing his crops. The only thing he loved more than being a farmer was his wife and family. He took great pride in all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and often considered them his greatest accomplishment in life.Gene also felt a strong commitment to his community, and he showed it through his faithful and honorable service on the Peoples Energy Coop Board, the Dairyland Power Board, the Conception Church Advisory Board, the Plainview Milk Products Board, the Highland Township Board, and he was a member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus throughout his adult life. He was also a lifetime blood donor with Mayo Clinic—donating 19+ gallons of blood in his lifetime.Gene is survived by his wife of 69 years, Darlene; his eight children—Jean (Ron) Klavetter, Bill (Paula) Miller, Sharon (Bill) Tice, Wayne (Ellen) Miller, Mary (Tom) Larson, Joanie (Mike) Lyons, John (Kris) Miller, and Kathy (Jerome) Schmidt—all from the Plainview/Elgin area. He is also survived by 24 grand-children and 41 great-grand-children, along with one sister, Carol Sylvester of Wabasha, MN. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, two infant sons (Billy and Bobby), a daughter-in-law, Geralyn (Geri) Miller, and three brothers (Harold Miller, Lawrence Miller, and Richard Miller) and one sister (Marian Evers).A visitation was held on Friday, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, rural Kellogg, as well as one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass was held at 11:00AM at the church on Saturday, October 18, with Father Tom Loomis officiating and Deacon Scott Schwalbe co-officiating. The burial was immediately following the funeral service at Saints Peter and Paul Conception Cemetery in rural Kellogg. Arrangements entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel, the guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com