James Miller

james miller
Jim's prayer service can be found below:
James “Jim” Carl Miller, 79, Fargo, ND, died June 16th, 2021 in Fargo, ND. Jim was born Sept 6th, 1941 to Rudi and Louise (Trieglaff) Miller. He grew up on the family farm in Mapleton, ND. He attended elementary school in Durbin, ND, and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, ND. He then served with the Minnesota Army National Guard and was honorably discharged in May 1967. At the young age of 18, after his father’s death, he took over the farming operation. Jim always gave credit to his friend and mentor, Clint Merrigan, for helping him out during this trying time. Jim married Kathryn Cook on November 6th, 1965, and the couple had 3 children. He served many years on the Durbin Township Board, and was an original member of the Board of Directors for the Cass Rural Water Users. He held a private pilot’s license and was a member of the North Dakota Flying Farmers. Other memberships were with the El Zagel Shri ne and the Masons. Jim’s hobbies were restoring Doepke construction toys and building a large model train set with the scenery in their basement. He took great pride in the upkeep of his lawn and landscaping. He always needed to be busy. His favorite times were the times he spent with his children and grandchildren. Jim left farming but farming never left him. He was very grateful to Alex Bishop for giving him a tractor to drive and fields to work during his retirement. Jim is survived by his loving wife Kathryn of Fargo; children, Amy Miller and Whitey Hansen, Park Rapids, MN, Lisa and Don LaFleur, Mandan, ND, and Jason and Holly Miller, Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Natasha and Robert Borger, Tiffeny Hansen, Macy Miller, Erika Hansen, Jonathan LaFleur, Eric LaFleur, Megan LaFleur, Kayla Miller; great grandson, Rhett; sister, Barbara and David Larson, West Fargo, ND; brothers, Erwin and Kathy Miller, Wausau, WI, David and Sharon Miller, Malta, MT; in-laws, Jim and Beverly Cook, Tacoma, WA, Cherryll and Ken Hoffman, Sioux City, IA, Jerry and Ione Cook, Lowell and Joanne Cook both Fargo, ND, Jim Ness, Moorhead, MN, Dwight and Shirley Cook, Mandan, ND, and Doris and Mark Mancell, Fairmont, MN; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends, Alex Bishop and James Bishop. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn’s parents Bob and Irene Cook; nephews, Troy Cook and Gary Miller; niece, Kimberly Lawrence; sister-in-law, Jan Ness; and his mentor Clint Merrigan. The Family would like to thank Sanford Hospice and the staff at Villa Maria for their great care and compassion.

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  1. I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember how beautiful the farmstead always looked. I remember babysitting for Jim and Kathryn. I remember too checking crops with my Dad (Fred Miller) and he would stop by and talk farming with Jim. Prayers for all of you during this time. May God comfort you.

  2. Kathryn and family,
    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Jim.
    He was a remarkable man and we so enjoyed our visits.
    He will always be remembered for the most beautiful lawn in Park Rapids!
    Our condolences,
    Gary and Barb Vaudrin

  3. This man made the biggest impact on my life in a just a few short hours. A breath of fresh air when I most needed it and when I least expected it. I’m so sorry for your loss and will remember him and the coolest train set I’ve ever seen forever.

  4. Kathryn & family Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kathryn, and with your family. We mourn and rejoice. Jim has won the race.

  5. So sorry for this family’s loss! My love to all of you! We have many great memories together and I’m blessed to have known Jim! He always made life fun! From get togethers to holidays to football games to Tahoe to camping! Big hugs!
    Love, LaFonda

  6. Sending hugs and prayers to you all! Your home was always a welcoming place where everyone was made to feel like family! I hope you will get the chance to tell
    All the stories and laugh through the tears.

  7. Kathryn, My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you and to your family.. I am blessed to have known Jim and to be able to call him my good friend. His humor was always so funny. He was one in a million. I will value the times we shared and smile as the memories come back. He will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him, especially me. God bless you and the kids and family.

  8. Kathryn and family,
    So sorry to hear about Jim. Even though we have lost contact with you guys in the past years. I have thought of you guys often. He was a lot of fun with his stories and advice. He will be greatly missed.
    Lots of prayers and love to you all.
    Linda and Tom Kasowski

  9. What a wonderful memorial video, it truly captures what was important to Jim….family. He would talk about his grand kids all the time and was so proud of his own children. We will miss him, the farm has not really been the same without his sense of humor and the tractors don’t usually run as early as they did with Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Alex and Nancy

  10. I am so sorry, Kathryn. I watched the video of your life together and just wondered if you wished that you, like me, could do it all over again!?! I miss Steve and just can’t believe how quickly the years went by. Hold on to the memories! Sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral. Be good to yourself ❤️

  11. Kathryn and Family So sad for your loss of Jim We will always remember “Diamond Jim” with a smile and grateful for the knowledge he has given us throughout our life May God bring you peace and comfort

  12. Lawrence and Darlene Miller
    We are so sorry to hear of Jim Passing our prayers are with Katherine and Family. We were with
    You on line to watch the service very nice

  13. Kayla (our grandchild, as well as Jim and Kathryn’s) was fortunate to have Jim as a grandfather. Both of my grandfathers were still alive when I was Kayla’s age, and both worked the land. From Grandpa Bakeman I learned how to set a syphon tube between an irrigation ditch and the furrow next to a row of beans. From Grandpa Sabelman I learned how to prune apple trees. If I had paid more attention, I am sure they would have taught me more, but I gave them all the attention an 8-year-old has. It was the same for Kayla and Jim. We can’t be sure exactly what she learned from him that she will need in later life. The important thing is the teaching – passing knowledge from grandfather to grandchild. That we can be sure Jim did well.

  14. Kathryn, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Jim. My sympathies to you and your family and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cherish the fond memories of the many years you and Jim had together. My best wishes to you always. Take care.


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