Marvin Miller

Marvin M. Miller, 100, Bismarck, ND., passed away peacefully January 21, 2023, at Edgewood Vista Village in Bismarck with family at his side.

Funeral service will be held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 904 8^th Ave. SE, Mandan, ND., at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, with burial to follow at the Mandan Union Cemetery.  Immediate family viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by public viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. A luncheon will be served after the service to those not attending the burial and to those returning from the burial.

On September 2, 1922, Marvin was born on the family farm near Sanger to parents, John Christian Miller, and Ethel (Myers) Miller.  He attended the Miller rural school in Oliver County. During his early years, he farmed with his father and worked for neighboring farmers.

Marvin married Lois Bernice Schrink, July 31, 1947, at the First Lutheran Church, Mandan, ND. Marvin and Lois moved to Tillamook, OR, where he was a carpenter, (which included the current Tillamook Cheese Factory), a logger, and a dairy farm worker. In 1950, Marvin with his wife and two daughters returned to ND.  He was hired by Ralph Hickel, Center, ND, to work on his farm.

The family welcomed twin boys in 1955 before moving to Mandan in the spring of 1961 where Marvin began a new job with the Mandan Parks and Recreation.  He served as assistant to Mr. Carl Schauss until November 1962, when Marvin assumed the position as Superintendent of Mandan Parks and Recreation.  After 31-years of working for the city, Marvin retired December 31, 1991.  He was known as the “Man of Ingenuity” per the Mandan Pioneer. On August 12, 2002, the Mandan Board of Commissioners, named the road looping street through Dacotah Centennial Park “Marv Miller Drive” for his dedicated and long years of service.

Marvin always had a smile on his face when the grand and great grandchildren visited.  His enjoyments were hunting, fishing, gardening, fixing things, golfing, and helping his family.  Stories of hunting in the badlands with his sons has been routinely shared with what “ifs” and laughter.

While living at Edgewood, playing pool almost became a daily activity. In the morning, he would grab his pool sticks and eagerly headed to join his pool playing friends. His other favorite activity was playing pinochle with friends.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Lois (Schrink) Miller of Bismarck; two daughters, Sharon Roberts of Lansing, MI., and Betty (Jack) DeMaine of Mapleton, ND.; two sons, Thomas (Carmen) Miller of Bismarck and John (Aimee) Miller of Mandan. 

He has nine grandchildren, Mark (Ana) Roberts, Christopher (Sara) Roberts, Bryan (Amanda) DeMaine, Sherry (Brent) DeMaine, Scott (Lindsey) Miller, Benjamin (Amy) Miller, Alana (Miller) McClure (Rob), Allie (Miller) Knodel (Chris) and Jackson (Hannah) Miller.  And he has 16 great grandchildren and the 17th this year.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel (Myers) Miller; brothers, Martin, Kenneth and Irwin Miller; stepmother Clara Miller, and half-brothers, Henry and Donald.