Jack Miller

The funeral service will be held at the Zorra Grace Lutheran Church in Zorra, Saskatchewan.

Please note that the time is 12:00 PM SASKATCHEWAN TIME

On April 13, 2022, God called Jack Miller, of Roblin, MB home to heaven at the age of 101.  Dad passed away at Crocus Court Personal Care Home with family by his side.

   He was born January 16, 1921, to Johann & Katharina Meuller at Melville, SK where they lived on Sec 10-22-6 which they farmed for about 3 years.

   He received the blessings of Holy Baptism on February 13, 1921, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church at Melville, SK; remaining a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, with Grace Lutheran Zorra being his home for many years.

   Jack was the third oldest in a family of twelve children: five boys and seven girls.  He said they never had a large house but living in close quarters made them a close family.

   In his teens Dad worked out at other farms to earn money. He worked for Bill Weir, making $12.00 a month; his Grandfather, making 12 cents an hour; and, for Conrad and Lena Mann where he made $25 a month.  When he was 17 he was so proud to purchase a bicycle with some of his earnings. In addition to working around home, he also worked at The Pas Lumber Reserve and for a short time at Canada Packers in Winnipeg. In 1937 he took two horses and worked on the Togo road.  He earned an exorbitant wage of $28 for his backbreaking work.

   The family later moved to the Minerva district, which was about 5 miles from the small village of Calder.  Jack’s early years were spent working on the family farm and attending school.  Minerva, a one room school with 45 students, was his first grade school and all were taught by Jim Montgomery.  They then moved to the Berezina district, followed by a move to Sec 17-26-30 in Calder municipality.

   Following Jack and Caroline’s (nee Baumung) marriage on November 14, 1948, they started a mixed farming operation on Sec 14-26-30 W1 in the Zorra district.  By this time, Jack was so tired of moving and said if he ever got settled in one place he would never move again.  He held true to his wish, living on same homestead until his mobility became challenged and Crocus Courts Personal Care became his home in 2020.

  Jack and Caroline were blessed with two children: Laurel (1955) and Douglas (1957).   The family suffered great sorrow when beloved Laurel passed in spring 1961; and, again with Caroline’s untimely and sudden death just before Christmas of the same year.  It was difficult to be running a farming operation and have a young son to tend to; however, Jack was determined to bring Doug up in a loving and caring fashion, and he did so with the support and love of Grandma B (Baumung) and many Aunties. 

   Jack and Marlene (nee Chase Curle) were united in marriage August 21, 1976, with the Rev. Paul Borchardt officiating at the Zorra, Grace Lutheran Church.   Our merged families were always welcomed with unconditional love and support of two incredible parents.  Blessed with 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren Grandpa always took great pleasure in teaching how to play rummy and crib. 

   Farming was Jack’s way of life, raising cattle, planting and harvesting crops.  Dad enjoyed every aspect of farming his entire life, using horses to work the fields in the early years. Once settled on his own homestead, Jack bought his first tractor, an International N, which cost $1800.  Throughout his mixed farming career, Jack had many tractors but his favourite was his John Deere 40-20. 

   Jack was known for being a very good cattleman and the most cattle he and Marlene had was about 110 head.  Their beef was simply the best.  In 2013 at the ripe age of 93, Jack (and Marlene) sold the remaining cattle.   Not many people can say they had cattle for over 70 years. 

   When asked which he preferred, the grain or cattle side of farming, he’d thoughtfully pause, and then said “Can’t have one without the other: one year the crops are bad and cattle price is okay; and, then that changes.”  He led a simple life, a life of having ‘enough’.

   Dad loved his homestead and was blessed with great neighbours throughout the years.  He spent many hours enjoying the fields, yard and surroundings.  If he wasn’t doing a farming task, he could be found in the raspberry bush or picking potato bugs in the garden.  He often just liked to ‘sit’ and enjoy nature in a peaceful and quiet manner. Nature’s boundless beauties were always of interest to Jack: feeding the deer (his pets), watching for bears, foxes, etc. or simply admiring the birds from his seat in the dining room. He particularly had a fondness for Blue Jays but not of the feathered type.  If there was a Toronto baseball game on, we knew he would be glued to the TV.  

   Everyone visiting knew Jack would have the cards out as soon as he and the company settled at the table.  He was an awesome crib player and took great pleasure in teaching us how to play.  He taught us so well that we even got to skunk him a time or two (not near as often he skunked us, though).  He and Marlene traveled to many whist and crib tournaments, catching up with, or, making new friends wherever they went.  They always found a connection to people and loved to entertain in their home. 

   When able, Jack served on the church board and was an active member of Zorra 4-in-1 Community Club, serving on the executive.

  Jack was blessed with good vision, which enabled him to be an avid reader; at times reading 3 books a week.

   Upon turning 100, he was asked what advice he would give younger people, to which he replied, “Live a clean life and don’t be afraid to make a mistake; but, if you do, don’t worry, maybe if you choose differently that would have been a mistake too”.

   Jack was predeceased in death by his first wife, Caroline; precious daughter, Laurel; parents, Johann & Katharina Mueller; his sisters: Caroline (Seigfried) Lobert, Wilhelmina (Alfred) Eslinger, Margaret Luella, Ella (Edwin) Becker,  Irene (Ferdinand) Hack, Helen (Louis) Harper, Doreen ; his brothers: Charlie (Phyllis), Gordon (Lorna), Norman (Eileen); his brother & sisters in-laws William Hembroff, Erwin Baumung, Norman Baumung, Rhienold (Eunice) Baumung, Maynard Chase, Keith Gottfried, Alma Gordon, Earl Chase, Neil Gordon; and, his step-son-in-law Bruce Sveinson. 

   Jack is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marlene & son Douglas; stepchildren Brian (Melody) Curle of Williams Lake, Rod (Corinne) Curle of Regina, Deb (Bryan) Gottfried of Gimli; 6 Grandchildren: Noah (Ang) Curle, Devin (Candace) Curle, Jarret Curle, Tyler Curle, Shalen Curle and Chase Sveinson; Great Grandchildren: Hannah, Logan, Rachel and Alexander Curle.  Jack also leaves his cherished siblings Agnes Hembroff & Elmer Miller and Leona Miller; Brothers and sisters-in-law Therese Baumung (Erwin), Theresa Baumung (Norman), Aurelia (Lorne) Schaan, Myrtle Chase, Joyce (Ron) Latimer, and Shirley (Gord) Holyk; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who were very special to him.

     “We buried a farmer, gave him back to the dirt from which he came”.  We buried our husband, father, brother, uncle, confidante and friend who was loved and admired.  We are thankful for the memories, which we will hold close until we meet again. Rest well, dear Father. 

    Funeral Service was held April 21, 2022 at the Zorra Grace Lutheran Church, Zorra, SK, with Pastor Barry Wood officiating. Interment followed at the Zorra Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Zorra, SK. Those who so desire, may make memorial donation in memory of Jack to the Crocus Court Personal Care Home or the Zorra Cemetery’s as gifts of remembrance. To leave a note of condolence for the family, please visit NairnChyzWolkowski.ca

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