Marlene C Miller

Marlene Carolyn Miller, 93, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Sheyenne Crossings Care Center in West Fargo, ND.  Her services are set for 11 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, with visitation 1 ½ hours prior.  Burial to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton. Pastor Tom Petersen will officiate. 

Marlene Carolyn Ehlers was born on June 16, 1930, to Harry and Caroline (Burfiend) Ehlers in Fairmount, North Dakota.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tyler, ND.  She attended grade school in Summit Township, then Fairmount Public School, graduating from Wahpeton High School in 1948.

 Marlene met Merlyn Miller at the local bowling alley, and they started dating.  When he was enlisted and stationed in Alaska, Marlene would write letters to him every day.  The couple was united in marriage on July 25, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  They established their home on the Miller Farm in Tyler, ND, where they lived for 30 years.  They then moved to a farm site near Wahpeton where they lived for the next 30 years.  After that, the couple resided in Breckenridge, MN.  Upon Merlyn’s passing in 2018, the couple had been married for 70 years.  During that time, they enjoyed so many memories together.  The two would go dancing on Sunday nights, traveling all over. 

Marlene was an entertainer, and her house was full at Christmas.  She also hosted birthday club, and her card group.  She enjoyed playing pull tabs, watching Wheel of Fortune, reading, bowling, playing golf, and was always testing her knowledge with crossword puzzles.

She enjoyed being active in the family farming operation.  Her strong German heritage brought out the hard worker in her.  Marlene would make hot meals for her family and the hired men three times a day and brought them out to the field.  She kept a root cellar full of canned goods from the garden to help get through the winter.  Marlene was very known for her potato salad, sauerkraut, and schnidelhut. 

Marlene was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Richland County.  She taught both Sunday and Bible School, was part of Ladies Aid, and was an organist there for many years.  She also played organ at the churches in Fairmount and Great Bend, ND.  Marlene volunteered at St. Francis Home in Breckenridge, MN, was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary, both Wahpeton chapters. 

Marlene is survived by her children, Bruce (Kathy) Miller, Wahpeton, ND, Guy (Jacqueline) Miller, Breckenridge, MN, Vicki (Alan) Reep, Fargo, ND, Mark (Paula) Miller, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Ryan (Carolee) Miller, Melissa (Derryn) Heley, Jared (Becky) Miller, Blair (Kacie) Miller, Alison (Travis) Keller, Joel Martin, Jason (Marchelle) Reep, Jessica (Thomas) Tweten Chase Miller; great-grandchildren, Ellington Norwood, Hudson Miller, Morgan (Chris) Vargas, Lauren Heley, Addison Heley, Jackson Miller, Tyce Miller, Wyatt Miller, Owen Keller, Dylan Keller, Autumn Reep, Tobias Reep, Olivia Tweten, Carter Tweten, Jennifer Martin Slaughter, Justin Martin, Joshua Martin; great-great grandson, Lawson Norwood; and son-in-law, Douglas Johnson, Billings, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Caroline; husband, Merlyn; daughter, Pam Johnson; sisters, June Bernard, Harriet Pelletier, and Jeanne Bertelsen.

Marlene’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Sheyenne Crossing Campus in West Fargo.