GORDEN GARY MILLER, 73, passed away on February 15, 2017, at Sanford Health Systems, in Bismarck, ND. 

Gorden was born on May 16, 1943, in Hazen, ND to Herb and Ella (Oster) Miller.  He is the fifth of six children and is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margene Miller. 

Gorden was raised and attended school in Stanton, ND.  He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Rural Stanton and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, Stanton.  On July 28, 1961, Gorden married Karen Marlenee, and they have resided in Stanton ever since.      

Gorden was employed by United Power Association for thirty years, until his retirement.  He also farmed for many years, starting out with sheep and then cattle.  Gorden had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren and took the time to purchase three older model International Harvesters and one John Deere, one for each of his four grandchildren.  These tractors have been driven in many of the parades in Stanton during Knife River Days. 

During his lifetime, Gorden enjoyed life to the fullest.  Back in the day, Gorden could be wild and crazy.  Karen always said, “He works hard and plays hard.”  There are numerous and wonderful memories of Gorden dancing with Karen, camping, waterskiing, snow skiing, big game hunting trips with his brother Dale and some with friends, and fishing trips to Canada with family and some with friends.  On what Gorden considered a hunting trip of a lifetime, he flew into the tiny Arctic community of Repulse Bay and came home with two caribou.  Gorden always said, “I’d rather go bear hunting without a gun, than end up in a nursing home.”  We feel blessed that Gorden’s wish came true.  Gorden even took up canoe racing when friend Sam Fears was looking for a teammate.  They competed for a number of years, racing on the Missouri River and even entered the Wyoming Governor’s Cup Canoe Race (where entries included two Olympic competitors) on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, WY.    

Gorden will be dearly missed by his wife Karen of 55 years; his daughter Melanie (Mark) Johnson, Woodbridge, CA; his son Leslie Miller, Stanton, ND; his grandsons Timothy (Valerie) Johnson, Kuna, ID; Bransen Miller, Hazen, ND; Jaxen Miller, Hazen, ND; his granddaughter Megan (Jeff) Hust, Visalia, CA; his four great-grandchildren, Zander, Zoe, Zia, and Tessa, Kuna, ID; his two sisters, LaVelle Anvik and LouAnn Rahn; his two brothers, Dale (Ceil) Miller and Lee (Brenda) Miller; and many many other family members and friends.   

For anyone who would like to attend, funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stanton, ND.  Visitation will be held Sunday, February 19, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen, ND. 

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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