Clarice Miller

Clarice Sophie Miller, age 97, resident of Michigan, ND formerly McVille and Binford, ND passed away Thursday, October 14, 2010 at her daughter's home.

Clarice Sophie Miller was born July 27, 1913 at Mayville, ND the daughter of Olaus and Olga (Hatlebrek) Olson. Her childhood continued southwest of Red Willow and the rural Pekin area until moving into Pekin, ND. She attended Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Tolna, ND and Sheyenne Lutheran Church of Pekin where she was confirmed. She attended school at rural Pekin and completed the 8 th grade. She went on to work on various farms in her teen year's housecleaning, milking cows, and caring for children and babies. It was during this time she met her life mate Gilman. They married August 29, 1932 at the Binford parsonage. They lived and farmed east of Red Willow until moving to Binford in 1973. Eventually they lived in their new home on now named Miller Avenue . From 1974 until 1978 when they returned to rural living not at the original farm but also east of Red Willow. They lived there until 1989 when Gilman's health prompted them to move to McVille. After Gilman's death in 1992 Clarice remained in the house until moving to West Meadows Apartments in 2005. In 2006 she went to live with her daughter and family northeast of McVille. She was a member of Bethany Free Lutheran Church in Binford active in all church activities. She loved playing guitar and singing in the string band for the church. She was honored to ride on the Bethany Church float in the 2008 Binford centennial parade. Clarice was a 4-H club leader for 5 years and also active in homemakers. She cared for her father during ill health and opened her home to her own mother to live for many years until her passing in 1968. During the farming years she took her crocheting everywhere and made items to include bedspreads and tablecloths.

At the age of 64 she had the opportunity to work at Friendship Healthcare Center in McVille where she became a CNA working alongside family and friends. Commuting year round from as far as Binford. Over the years she touched many lives through her strong faith in her Heavenly Father, her unconditional love, warm hospitality and delicious baking and meals.

Her devotion to her Lord and Savior was always first followed by her family who she prayed for by name. She loved and cared for all her grandchildren over the years in addition to others. Some, who also called her 'grandma'. She would play guitar and sing with them instilling in them a love for music and song. After treating them to ice cream floats or warm lefse off the grill. In summer she enjoyed attending bible camp, watermelon, and sitting in the sun. In winter there were Christmas retreats in Bismarck and the lutefisk suppers.

Surviving members of her family are 3 sons Virgil (Lynn) Miller of Cottage Grove, OR, Ronald Miller of Grand Forks, ND and Myron (Kathy) Miller of West Fargo, ND; 1 daughter Grace (Myron) Schiller of Michigan, ND; 13 grandchildren Bradley Miller of Ventura, CA, Melissa (Mike) Barland of San Diego, CA, Terry (Jo) Miller of Grand Forks, ND, DaRahn (Grant) Lebahn of Greeley, CO, Laura (Bryan) Ohlhauser of Brocket, ND, Corey (Janell) Miller of West Fargo, ND, Blair (Kelly) Miller of Oak Grove, MN, Wade (Melissa) Miller of West Fargo, ND, Mark Miller of West Fargo, ND, Andre` Schiller of Michigan, ND, Alisha Schiller of Grand Forks, ND, Marissa Schiller of Grand Forks, ND and Austin Schiller of Michigan, ND. 17 great grandchildren Dane, Brooke, Tristan, Ava, Amber, Justin, Adam, Jessica, Berg, Tyce, Tray, Autumn, Alden, Malachi, Logan, Kayden and Jacey.

Clarice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gilman, son Manley, granddaughter Vicki, grandson Brian, daughter-in-law Darlene Rondestvedt, 3 sisters Marian Mueller, Barbara Mueller and Annabelle Erickson and 2 brothers Marcus and Robert.

Funeral services for Clarice will be Friday, October 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM in Bethany Free Lutheran Church in Binford, ND. Visitation will be Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 3 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM family service in the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel, and continue one hour prior to services in the church. Officiating will be Reverend Lynn Kinneberg. Special music by DaRahn Lebahn and Kathy Konsor. Casketbearers will be grandsons. Honorary Casketbearers will be granddaughters and all great grandchildren. Interment will be in the Bethany Cemetery, Binford, ND.