Arthur "Art" Joseph Miller

Arthur Joseph Miller, 81, of Alta, Iowa died August 31, 2013. â€œArtâ€ Miller, son of Andrew P. and Teresa J. (Kanne) Miller, loving husband of Elizabeth (Harder) Miller passed away at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa after a long battle with illness. Art was born December 11, 1931 in Carroll, Iowa at St. Anthonyâ€™s Hospital. He was baptized in Carroll and received first communion and confirmation in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa. Art also attended grade school at the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Early and later attended high school at St Maryâ€™s in Storm Lake. Art began work with the Storm Lake Auction Company in 1947 and worked his way to weigh-master over the next 5 years. He also worked in various roles as truck driver, mechanic and supported the raising of cattle, hogs, and crops on the family farm. In 1954, he was hired by the Buena Vista County Maintenance Department as a heavy equipment operator. Over the next 10 years, he would learn to use all types of heavy equipment until he was appointed Foreman of the drainage crew in 1964. On December 29, 1964, Art was united in marriage to Elizabeth Harder at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus, Iowa. Together they were blessed with two sons, Douglas and Curtis. Art began Miller Farm Drainage in 1967 and established a successful business that served hundreds of farmers over northwest Iowa for the next forty years. He also expanded the business to provide auto salvage, snow removal, general contracting, and the raising of crops on the family farm. Art also served as a member of the Iowa Chapter of the Land Improvement Contractor Association for more than 30 years. Art enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling, steam shows, antique shows, and tractor pulls. He had a life-long passion for racing that started with drag racing Model Aâ€™s with his brother Mel and continued through attending the races at Buena Vista Raceway. Art particularly loved meeting and talking to his customers and friends while out in the community and was well known and liked throughout. He served as a member of the St Maryâ€™s parish for more than 60 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His rich faith in God was apparent in all aspects of his life and deeply devoted to his family. His loss will be felt by all his family and friends who knew him. Those left to cherish his memory include wife, Elizabeth Miller of Alta, Iowa; sons, Douglas Miller of Storm Lake, Iowa; Curtis (Kristi) Miller of Geneva, Illinois; granddaughters, Kelsi and Elle of Geneva, Illinois; sisters, Irma (Tom) Bengford of Garden Grove, California; Monica (Dick) Rice of Storm Lake, Iowa; sister-in-law, Joan Miller of Storm Lake, Iowa; brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Jean Schmidt of Bloomington, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Mary Harder of Tucson, Arizona; many nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Teresa; his brothers, Richard and Melvin; sister, Ruth; and infant siblings, William and Rita.

Arthur "Art" Joseph Miller

December 11, 1931 - August 31, 2013