"Gene was our agent for almost 30 years and always gave excellent advice. We enjoyed his hunting and fishing stories. Also the picnics. He was very dedicated to his family, his clients, his job, and his hobbies. He was a wonderful man. "
In loving memory of
Eugene Miller
August 22, 1943 - September 27, 2021
Eugene Ross (Gene R.) Miller, 78 years, passed peacefully on Monday, September 27, 2021.
He was born August 22, 1943 to his parents Clarence & Beulah (Fishbaugher) Miller in Wabasha, MN residing in Kellogg, MN for a few years before moving to Winona, MN at an early age. He attended St. Martins and St. Matthews parochial school, Jefferson Jr. High graduating from Winona High School in 1961. He attended Winona State College for a short while before proudly enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict fulfilling his honorable duty for 3 years. Returning to Winona completed his BA degree in Business from Winona State College. Where he met his spouse of 56 years Karen Wandrei of Hopkins, MN. They were blessed with 3 wonderful sons, Todd, Thomas and Troy and four beautiful grandchildren, Samantha, Benjamin, Levi and Jackson.
His career path began fresh out of college as a loyal employee of 34 years with Aid Association for Lutherans. Achieving insurance industry designations along the way as a ChFC, CLU, Million Dollar Roundtable and being inducted into the AAL Hall of Fame in 1991. His career ended in 2002 when he battled cancer and remained a cancer survivor for over 20 years.
Gene's faith was center in his life. He was a dedicated member of Trinity Lutheran Church for over 50 years, serving on several boards, Evangelism, Compensation Committee, Sunday School Teacher, Greeter and the first Co-Chairman of Rochester Central Lutheran School Fund Raising Auction to furnish their new gymnasium. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and being outdoors. He was an excellent fisherman and had the joy of taking clients out on the lake and river for business meetings. He built many relationships with his long career with AAL. He was passionate about helping his clients, hosting annual picnic day and mystery bus tours, and every now and then you'd hear a fishing or hunting tale. He always enjoyed taking a yearly family fishing trip up north. He loved searching for walleyes, sun fish, crappies and enjoyed many hunting trips solo and with his kids and special friends.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Miller of Rochester, MN; three sons, Todd Miller, Thomas Miller and Troy Miller; four grandchildren, Samantha, Benjamin, Levi and Jackson; siblings, Phyllis (Lee) Zabrocki and Lois (Dave) Haase; his godmother, Alyce (Miller) Leshovsky.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church 222 6th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held 9:30 am to 11:00 am Saturday at the church. The funeral will be livestreamed on Trinity Lutheran Church website. Memorials are preferred to Mission Central LCMS or Trinity Lutheran Church.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Miller family. To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"I remember my parents going to the picnics and had Gene for a agent he will be missed "