Leon A. Miller

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Leon Arlen Miller, age 81, of Renner, SD, passed away surrounded by his family November 18th, 2013 at Bethany Meadows in Brandon.

Leon was born on Jan 2nd, 1932 in Sioux Falls to William and Sophie Miller. He served in the South Dakota Air National Guard; then was activated into the US Air Force as a P-51 Mustang Crew Chief and was a proud Korean War Veteran. Leon married the love of his life, Elizabeth C. Nelson on Sept 6th, 1952. They raised their four children in the home they built with love, in Renner, SD. Leon worked at John Morrell and Company for 32 years and helped his father-in-law farm near Renner. He co-managed, with his wife, a motel in Sioux Falls; then worked in security at Dow Rummel.

Throughout the years, he enjoyed spending time at the lake with family and friends, bowling, playing baseball, softball, badminton, table tennis, cards, but most of all being surrounded by his family. He loved telling and playing jokes on his family, listening to classic country music and Liz playing her accordion. He loved traveling with family and friends and reminiscing about all his special trips. He was an avid fan of his family's sporting and dancing events and his favorite sports teams the Renner Monarchs, Minnesota Twins and Vikings and Brooklyn Dodgers.

Leon served on several local boards and committees. He was the Renner Lutheran Church Sunday School secretary/treasurer for 17 years and also served as a church Deacon. He was on the Renner School Board of Education and was instrumental in the planning of the new Renberg School. He was a loyal supporter of the Renner Monarchs and served as both a member of the board and a groundskeeper for many years. He was a Renner Volunteer Fireman and proud member of American Legion Post 307.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Sophie Miller; sister, Darlene Miller; father and mother-in-law, Allen and Mabel Nelson; niece, Kris Nelson and his dog, Buster. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Liz Miller; brother, Donald (Ruth) Miller; sister, Marilee (Joe) Smith; brother, Bill (Cathy) Miller; brother-in-law, Aaron (Darlene) Nelson; daughter, Monica (Joe) Winklepleck of Sioux Falls; daughter, Tammy (David, Col. Ret.) Molinelli of Omaha; son, Todd (Denise) Miller of Sioux Falls; daughter, Marci (Mike) Disken of Tenino, WA; twelve grandchildren: Bethlee (James) Burke, Danielle and Hunter Winklepleck, Robert (Rachael), Matthew, Nicholas and Hannah Molinelli, Nelson Miller, Helena (Jesse) Rierson, Ashley, Joshua and Elizabeth Disken; eight great-grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews; friends and special friend, Francis Whitney.

Liz and her family would like to thank their extended family and many friends for all the prayers, support and acts of kindness showered upon them now and to Leon during his lifetime. A heartfelt thank you is given to Compassionate Care Hospice and especially to the friends, nurses and staff at Bethany Meadows for the gentle loving care given to Leon during these past 18 months.

Visitation will start on 2:00 pm Friday, November 22nd at Renner Lutheran Church, Renner, SD. Family will be present between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at Renner Lutheran Church at 10:30 am, Saturday, November 23rd. Burial will be at Berg Cemetery with a lunch reception immediately following at the church.