Joseph A. Miller, 91 of North Platte died February 24, 2019 in North Platte, NE and went to his reward above. Joe was born to Theodore William and Katherine Antonia (Maystadt) Miller in Holstein, NE on February 12, 1928.
Joe attended Snow Flake country school, 5 miles south of Norman for 8 years, and Norman High School for 2 years before transferring and graduating from Minden High. He held a farm job for a year before enlisting in the United States Army where he attended basic training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He also attended special vehicle training and was sent to Luzon, Philippians. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to Nebraska to work on the farm with his father for a year, before moving to Bettendorf, Iowa where he worked for two years. Joe was married to Evelyn Beck at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Minden, NE on August 10, 1950. To this union were born five children. Joe returned to the Heartwell and Minden area where he would farm for 39 years, before retiring in 1983 and moving to Sun Lakes, AZ where he and Evelyn lived for 25 years. The two kept a summer home in North Platte and returned in 2004 to be closer to family.
Joe was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the American Legion, VFW, and the Kearney Elks. He had many hobbies, in his earlier years Joe enjoyed taking his family in the motor home and on boating trips. He was an avid Husker fan, attending games regularly since 1958. He was a member of the Touchdown Club and never missed a game on radio or TV in his later years. He loved golfing, woodworking, and building things for his family. He spent many hours on the computer. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of North Platte; children, Barbara Jo Miller, Renee (Dale) Gant, Carol (Steve) Rea, Lynn (Mark) Larson all of North Platte, and John (Debbie Heavey) Miller of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Mike (Stacy) Gant of Honey Creek, IA, Joe Gant of North Platte, Chris (Crystal) Rea of Oklahoma City, OK, Brian (Erin) Rea of Lincoln, Greg (Lisa Lashley) Rea of North Platte, Lucas (Haley) Larson of Waverly, Alyssa (Justin Graham) Larson of Omaha, Tyler and Makayla Miller of Phoenix, and their mother, Pam Miller; great-grandchildren, Morgan, Regan, Taryn, Bodi, Natalie, Kennedy, Amelia, Lyla, Baylie, Ayla, Paetyn, Owen, & Madelyn; sister, Helen Vieger of Mesquite, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lavern (Dolly) Miller, Paul (Hazel) Miller, and Tony (Dorothy) Miller; sisters, Jeanette (Earl) Parr, and Josephine (Ray) Tyndale; and a great-granddaughter, Adelyn Rea.
Memorials are suggested to the Holy Spirit Endowment Trust and online condolences may be shared at www.admasswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. March 4, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with the Reverend Vidya Sagar Arikotla as celebrant. Burial to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Christian Wake service will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Visitation will be noon – 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.