Eathen Miller

Eathen Emil Miller, 87, of Moorhead, MN went to be with the Lord, Friday, August 26, 2011 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Eathen was born on a farm in Rolla, ND, August 2, 1924 to Glen Eathen & Hilda Josefina (Nelson) Miller. After graduating from Williston High School in 1942 he attended UND and in June of 1943 enlisted in the US Marines Corps. While in the Marines Eathen courageously served his country on the battlefields of IWO JIMA and received an honorable discharge in June of 1946. Eathen attended and graduated from Colorado College excelling in basketball and was a member of KAPPA SIGMA Fraternity. After college, Eathen moved to Minneapolis MN and played basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers Practice Team, then a Semi Pro Team, while working for Minnesota Mutual Insurance. On August 29, 1949, he married Ardella Alicia Halgrimson and in 1952 they moved to Moorhead, MN to raise their children and pursue a career as an independent tool salesman for Delegard Tool Company. In 1962 Eathen started his own business, known today as Fargo Bumper Exchange. During 50 years in the tool business people were amazed by his genuine enthusiasm, endless energy, relentless commitment, and positive attitude. Eathen fully retired in 2004. In his spare time Eathen enjoyed playing fast pitch softball for Shorty’s Shoe Shop for 13 years. He also enjoyed playing whist, horseshoes, softball, cribbage, golf, hunting, fishing and traveling, Eathen was always the world’s greatest fan of his children and grandchildren’s activities. Preceding him in death is his parents and his loving devoted wife of 51 years, Ardella (Del) Miller of Moorhead, MN. Eathen will be greatly missed by his three daughters Pamela (Donald) Sandborg, Roseville, MN, Debra (Mark) Maruska, Warren, MN and Rebecca (Dick) Henderson, Fargo, ND; son Shaun (Melanie) Miller, West Fargo, ND: sister Leah Ostrem of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren Kirsten Johnson, Alicia (Gail) Collins, Staza (Ben) Pany and Boone Maruska, Tom and Jennifer Henderson, and Aaron Stolt; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Eathens’ family would like to thank the many friends at North Buffalo Church, Elim Care, One Riverside and Edgewood Vista for the kindness and friendship shown to him during these last tender years. Eathen’s Celebration of life will be Friday, September 2, 2011 11:00 a.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation: Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, and one half-hour before the service at church on Friday. Prayer Service: 7:00PM, Thursday, September 1, 2011, at the funeral home. Inurnment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. In lieu of flowers memorial preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota/North Dakota, 4550 W. 77th Street, Suite 200. Minneapolis, MN 55435