Dennis W. Miller 80 of Fargo, ND passed away August 17th 2020 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.  Upon receiving his cancer diagnosis Dennis chose to forgo treatment to live out his remaining days enjoying his friends, family, and the simple blessings in life.

Dennis was born to Arthur and Beulah (Moen) Miller, April 11th, 1940 in McVille, ND.  He was raised on the family farm on the west edge of Binford, ND.  It was there that Dennis learned how to be both a town and farm kid.  While he attended school in Binford, he worked for a local farmer and at his home farmstead.  It was there that he learned to milk cows, tend sheep, and horses became a big part of his life.  He would jockey horses, at the local horse races, county fairs and other town celebrations.  Dennis graduated from Binford High School in 1958.  At that time his family moved to West Fargo, where his father ran a riding stable.  It is also where he made the connections that led him to a job at Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Company.  He worked in the printing and supply department from 1958-1962.  In 1962 he joined the North Dakota National Guard at Valley City.  After 6 months active duty he enrolled at Valley City State College, where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in 1967.  Needing money for college he began a job at Brown’s Lithograph.  While employed there he met and started to date the boss’s daughter.  Veronica Quick wasn’t immediately charmed by his wit and after 3 years of on again, off again dating he presented her with an engagement ring on New Year’s Eve 1965. 

Dennis and Vickie were married June 25th, 1966 in Valley City, ND.  In 1967 they both accepted teaching jobs in Starkweather, ND.  He taught social studies for 11 years and was the Principal for 10 years there.  During this time girls basketball was making a comeback.  As one of the Pioneers in the modern era of girl’s basketball he coached the Starkweather Stormqueens to an undefeated regular season in 1973, earning them a spot in the 1st State tournament, 1974.  They ended that season 3rd place in the state.  He attributes that winning season to the dedication of his athletes.

In 1979 he and Vickie purchased the grocery store in Starkweather and in 1985 purchased the grocery store in neighboring Hampden, ND. Vickie ran the store in Starkweather and Dennis the store in Hampden.  Dennis loved the town of Hampden and its residents.  He took great pride in pranking and teasing the patrons of The Mall Market.  He made many special memories in Hampden.

Dennis, managed the Starkweather area housing for 20 years, served as the chairman of the Starkweather centennial, he was the 1st Secretary of the Starkweather Booster Club and served on the city council and was The Mayor for 16 years.

In 1998 they sold the business and he worked for Goulding Oil until 2004 when he and Vickie moved to Michigan, ND where he was employed at Michigan Tesoro.  In 2011 after open heart surgery, he moved to Fargo to be closer to his 5 children, and took on his last job as Vickie’s daycare assistant to his grandchildren.

Dennis was a member of Bethany Free Lutheran Church, Binford, ND, and The American Legion of Michigan, ND.  He enjoyed his hobbies of coin and sport card collecting, hunting, fishing, puttering at the farm, his children, grandchildren and pretty much any and every sport. He liked the Dodgers, Twins, and was a diehard Green Bay Packers Fan.  Mostly, Dennis loved people. He would visit with anyone who would visit back and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know folks.  He had a great sense of humor and may have been known to tell a joke or two over the years.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 54 years, Veronica (Quick) Miller, his children Faye (Dan) Foster, West Fargo,ND, Jennifer (Tim) Nygaard, Argusville, ND, Linda (Leilyn) Honeyman, West Fargo, ND, Allison Israelson, Fargo, ND, Jarred (Ashley) Miller, Fargo, ND.  His grandkids Dylan (Beth), and Holdyn Honeyman, Jacob, Jalynn, and Braden Nygaard, Kaitlyn, Bryson, and Brody Israelson, Tristan, Peyton, and Brekken Miller, Ashley (David) Enkelaar, Travis (Leah) Foster.  Great grandkids Eiley Honeyman, Hendrix, Sawyer, and Harrison Enkelaar, and Elliott Foster.  Sister Dianne (Darell) Evanson, Sheldon, ND.  Many nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Beulah (Moen) Miller.

 

Due to the covid 19 virus, a private graveside service will be held at the Willow Cemetery, near Binford, ND.

Cards may be mailed in care of:

 Vickie Miller

 2515 25th St. S #203

Fargo, ND  58103