Doris L. Miller

Doris Lorraine Miller, born May 24, 1929 in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota to Edor and Hazel Erickson, passed away after late onset cancer, on October 2, 2024. She was 95 years (young). Doris met Darrell Miller while taking her teacher’s training in Fergus Falls. She was working in a restaurant at the time and Dad had become a frequent customer. They were married at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, MN in 1948, had seven children and shared 65 years together. Darrell passed away on December 8, 2013. Mom was the oldest sibling in her immediate family and the last survivor.

Mom was proud to be a country school teacher and taught in schools north of Fergus Falls, east of Erhard and north of Pelican Rapids. She was a substitute teacher at Pelican Rapids elementary school, also. She taught first through sixth grade and when her students joined us in the public schools, they were well prepared for their high school experience. Mom continuously taught her children, as well. How she could get all of us to make our beds in the morning and clean the salt and pepper shakers, sink and stove, after dinner, was always a mystery to me. Once, when she accidentally walked out of the store with a roll of tape on her finger, hands filled with shopping bags and children by her side, we had to walk back into the store with her to apologize and pay for the item. She taught us honesty, pride in our accomplishments and the value of a hard day’s work. She always tried to see the best in others and we admired her for that. Mom was very active in Faith Lutheran church in Pelican Rapids and she worked in the Pelican Health Care nursing home. She and Dad owned and operated Miller’s Café in Pelican Rapids for several years. Mom was proud to have had three children one day and six children (triplets) the next, when she was only 26 years old. It was nine years after this that our youngest brother was born. Mom and Dad moved to Fargo ND after we were grown and Mom dearly loved the children she cared for at Koala Day Care in Fargo. She stayed in touch with some of the families until her passing. She was an extrovert and was beloved by her family and friends which included the residents and staff at Evergreens assisted living where she lived after Dad’s death for 9 years and Elim Health Care Center where she received incredible care during her last 3 months of life. Mom will be deeply missed. We hope all who knew her will carry on the best of her in your lives.

Doris is survived by her children: Diane (Greg) Anderson, Lorretta Rostad, Dale (Leanne) Miller, Jackie (Dale) Loper, Joan (Todd) Ritchey and Dewey Miller. Jean (Bruce) Johnson was killed in a tragic car accident August 23, 1996.

Doris was blessed with (17) grandchildren: Justin (Amy) Anderson, Joshua Anderson, Jessica Birklolz, Dawn (Dave) Zachewicz , Deanna Hamilton and Daisy Broker, Angie (Jamie) Nelson, Anna (Michael) Nelson, Dan (Mandy) Johnson, Andrew Balfour, Christopher Balfour, Brian (Alysa) Balfour, Nicholas (Eunju) Ritchey, Kathryn (Michael) Richmond, Alexander (Jessica) Ritchey, Samuel Ritchey (who passed away April 23, 2015) and Kira Miller.

Doris was also blessed with (19) great-grandchildren: Ava and Alayna Sosa, Austyn, Adam, Aubrey and Aaron Hamilton, Haile and Emma Broker, Kaitlin (Bob) Hegseth, Cassie and Caleb Nelson, Zoey, William, Wyatt, and Maisy, Ada and June Balfour, Sam and Marcus Richmond and one great, great-grandchild who she knew was due in February, 2025 (Kaitlin and Bob Hegseth).

Doris is survived by: Darlene Erickson, Jan (Ken) Erickson-Dahl, Harold and Betty Miller.

Doris was preceeded in death by: Edor and Hazel Erickson, Earl Erickson, Raymond and Audrey Erickson, Della and Jim Herfindahl, LeRoy Erickson, Dewey and Daisy Miller, Bruce and Romayne Harrington, Arlene and Stanley Jensen, Rollis and Luella Miller, Clarence and Joanne Miller, Stephanie Miller, Bruce Balfour and Dennis Rostad.

Thank you to all who have shared Mom’s life and love over the years. We will be planning a celebration of her life in the spring of 2025.