Cletus A. Miller

Cletus A. Miller

Cletus A. Miller, 82, of Sumner, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics of complications from a fall at his home.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2013, St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, Iowa with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Wilson Grove Cemetery in Sumner with military rites by Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner. Friends may call from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2013, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Thomas E. Woods Post #223, both in Sumner.

Cletus Anton Miller, son of Ernest and Rena Knief Miller, was born June 24, 1930, on the family farm north of Sumner, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He received his education in the country schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1949. Cletus saw action with the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War. On June 16, 1956, he was united in marriage with Darlene Niemeyer at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner. Cletus farmed the family farm, also known as “Miller’s Mile” for his entire working life. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner, a lifetime member of Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner, and served several terms on the Sumner School Board, which included some of the time as president. Among his many pleasures were playing cards, and attending farm sales, auctions, and flea markets.

He is survived by seven children, Mark (Lisa) Miller of Sumner, Daniel (Elizabeth) Miller of Purcellville, Virginia, Susan (Phil) Niedert of Sumner, Sylvia (Tom) Schuh of Edgar, Wisconsin, and Karla (David) Blume, Kim (Dan) Ellis, and James (Sara) Miller, all of Sumner; twenty-three grandchildren, Eric and Kristen Ziegler, Kaitlyn Miller, Zachary, Alexandria, and Logan Miller, Megan (Ben) Carlson, Molly Niedert (Jason Dodd), Danielle, Brittney, Ashley, Chelsea, Tommy, and Hannah Schuh, Ben Anderson, Ashle (Brandon) Dittmer, Klint Blume, Kerri Jo, Jodi, and Kody Miller, Emma and Erin Peterson, and Levi Miller; two great grandchildren, Anton and Athena Dittmer; two brothers, Leslie O. (Ruth) Miller of New Hampton and J. Leo Miller of Orlando, Florida; and one sister, Vera Winter of Waucoma.

Cletus was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, who died February 16, 2007; his parents; two brothers, Elmer and Ray; one sister, Lorinda Meyer; and four siblings who died in infancy.

Mike miller on April 15, 2013 at 7:56 PM said:

Im going to miss Cletus as I do Darlene . I feel very proud to have been the ring bearer for their wedding love you both

Joel on April 14, 2013 at 8:37 PM said:

To all my 2nd brothers & sisters. I'll miss my 2nd dad. That wink in his eye, kept Dan & I out of trouble more than once! Take care & remember his wink & smile.

JLH

Arlen Schwerin on April 14, 2013 at 4:50 PM said:

I worked for Cletus Miller and family and his brother on their farm in the summer of 1959, after my hi school graduation. I got room and board at their house, so I got to know the family well, and at the time they had 3 children. I saw Cletus and Darlene a few years ago at my hi school reunion. My sympathies to Cletus' family and friends.

Clarence Leyh on April 13, 2013 at 4:09 PM said:

May God be with your family in this time of loss. Over the years of working on the farm with Mark and James and knowing Cletus through my father years before I know he will be missed by many. May the saving grace of Jesus take all the sorrow's and burden's, that one day we will all reunite once again in Heaven. Prayers from our family, to yours.

Elaine Schwerin Willers on April 12, 2013 at 11:37 AM said:

My sympathies to the Miller family. I did not know Cletus personally, but my dad, Lester Schwerin, always spoke of him fondly.

Mike & Nancy (Gitch) Petersen on April 12, 2013 at 8:44 AM said:

Our sincere sympathy to your family.We know you will cherish the good memories your family will share for many years to come. God's peace be with you.

Cara Vanderburgh, IHS on April 12, 2013 at 8:32 AM said:

So sorry Molly and family for your loss. Sending prayers of peace and love your way. Take care, love Cara

Gretchen (Gitch) Warkentin on April 11, 2013 at 7:08 PM said:

Thinking of all of you during this time. Your dad was always so kind; going out of his way to say hello. He served his country, and community with great pride. Blessings to your family.

Ron and Deb schmitz on April 11, 2013 at 12:44 PM said:

We will miss Cletus as he was always a very good neighbor and friend to us. Always a kind smile on his face and something cheerful to say when he saw us someplace. We are glad to have known him for so many years.While he was on the farm,he always had a big wave for us everytime we went past his place. RIP Cletus.

Diane Zabel on April 11, 2013 at 10:17 AM said:

I have so many memories of Cletus. Chasing the cows out of our garden, watching him farm, seeing the sheep, picking him out of a photo of the Honor Guard, getting sweet corn, and a great neighbor. Prayers for Mark, Dan, Sue, Sylvia, Karla, Kim, and James.

Lynn Scott on April 11, 2013 at 9:13 AM said:

Kim, Karla,Sue,James,Mark,Sylvia and Dan - My very sincerest condolences. I know how difficult it is to lose someone so suddenly. He will be missed by many. One of my favorite memories is Kim's and my graduation. He didn't think that I would really give him a kiss when he handed me my diploma. When I did the whole gym was one huge gasp. What made it funnier was then Superintendent Don Miller thought he should get one too. I know that he, Darlene, John A and Anna are all looking down on us with pride and will be our guardians forever more.

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