LeRoy N. Miller

LeRoy Norman Miller was born on January 2nd, 1930, the son of the late Elsie (Rast) and Louie Miller in the Township of Helvetia, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, joining brothers Carl and sisters Marilyn, Gladys and Dorothy. The fifth child down the line, born on an icy January day, while his mother was on the way to the barn to milk cows. Siblings born after included Joyce Helms, Russell, JoAnn Goettel and baby Donna who passed away at birth. Baptized at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Big Falls, by Rev. Jaeger, sponsors were Alvin and Lilly (Miller) Wegener.

At an early age he walked the three miles up hill both ways to attend Shady Grove School. Among the classmates were the Winter and Much families. Many school days were missed because of farm work. In 1941 he began religion classes at St. Peter’s Lutheran, walking the seven miles with sister Joyce, and on July 18th, 1943 he received the rite of Confirmation.

LeRoy began a two year career of farm work for Herman Bork, west of Marion, until Uncle Sam called for military service in February of 1953 until April of 1955, spending 15 months in Germany.

He also had a short stint of Ray McCarthy construction work, and building roads. After that Reynolds Aluminum of Portland, Oregon called because of job opportunities, for almost 19 years. Health problems forced early retirement, following a career of twenty years working at several of Portland’s Public Schools.

While in Portland, he met and married Donna Pattee in March of 1963 and with her son, Marlowe, they made a happy and contented family, may they rest in peace.

Every few years LeRoy returned to his Wisconsin roots, and visited friends and relatives; making the long haul over the Mountains. Retirement brought peace and contentment and a motor home to travel to his favorite hunting and fishing sites. LeRoy passed away peacefully on March 24th, 2014 and will be dearly missed.

There will be a service of remembrance in honor of Leroy at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 11801 SE Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland OR 97086, on Friday, April 4th, 2014 at 12pm.