Ralph E. Miller

Ralph Edward Miller, 86, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Jackson, Minn., passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.

A celebration of Ralph's life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake.

He was born on March 9, 1922, in Dolliver, to Lee and Olive (Evans) Miller.

Ralph graduated from Dolliver High School in 1939, and Estherville Community College in 1942. He enlisted to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corp. in 1942, serving ten years. Ralph spent one year at Whittenberg University in Ohio, before beginning his cadet flight training at numerous bases in Texas. He was stationed at Maxwell Field, flying B-29's, expecting his orders to go over seas when World War II ended. While stationed at Maxwell Field, Ralph met his future wife, Dorothy Townsend. They were united in marriage on Dec. 28, 1946, in Helena, Ark., a marriage that lasted 62 years.

Ralph was one of the early helicopter pilots and was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base from 1945, until 1953. During the Korean War, he spent two years at Ladd Field in Alaska, with the 10th Air Rescue Service. During the testing of the H Bomb, Ralph flew helicopters off Inewatack Island in the pacific. In 1953, he retired form the Air force and began farming in Jackson, Minn., for 48 years, before retiring in 1998.

Ralph true joy was flying and he continued to fly private planes out of the Jackson Airport, until he was 65. He also enjoyed his association with Superior Coop Elevator, where he served as the President of the Board of Supervisors for 19 years, and watched it grow to be one of the largest in the area.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy Miller; a daughter, Janice Richards and her husband Steve, of Algona; two grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a sister, Beverly Butler and her husband, Bill of Spirit Lake; and a brother, Bill Miller and his wife, Evie, of Blue Earth, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

The Schuchert Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.