Robert "Sonny" Miller

Robert “Sonny” Miller, 84 of Viborg, passed away on January 24, 2019 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital  in Viborg. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM  Monday, January 28, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Viborg. Visitation will be form 6:00-7:00 PM Sunday, January 27, 2018 at the church with a Prayer Service starting at 7:00 PM. Robert “Sonny” Martin Miller, was born May 31, 1934 to Martin Miller and Ida Peterson on his parents’ farm in Turner County, rural Viborg. He attended school and graduated high school from Viborg, South Dakota in 1952. Sonny enlisted in the Navy, sailed on the USS Ticonderoga and served our country from 1952 to 1956. During his time in the Navy, he traveled to many places, made numerous friends along the way and proudly served his country. He married his bride Barbara Kay Bauer on April 21, 1957, and they began their life together. From this union, four sons and one daughter were born. Robert Martin “Marty”, Jr. was born December 18, 1957, followed by Randal Mark, “Mark”, December 14, 1958, Ross Milton “Mick”, May 14, 1960 and Richard Michael, “Mike”, January 25, 1963. In 1964, their only daughter Karen Marie was born, September 30. Early in their years together, Sonny and Barb primarily farmed, while Barbara taught school and they raised their young family on the family farm near Viborg, South Dakota. In April of 1986, Sonny and Barb sold the family farm to their son Mike where he and his family still reside. Sonny and Barb purchased a house in town and spent many hours updating, restoring woodwork, and renovating this house where they would then reside as Sonny, in May 1986 took the job as the maintenance supervisor of the City of Viborg. In March 1996, having never been so much as hospitalized, Sonny became critically ill with a brain stem cerebral aneurysm and underwent a very complicated surgery to repair the aneurysm and spare his life. Following many days in Mayo, and much time in and out of rehabilitation facilities working fearlessly and relentlessly through hours of physical, occupational, and speech therapy, the man who was left unable to eat, speak, or walk after surgery slowly regained his speech, ability to eat, and to ability to walk independently. In January of 2016, Sonny and Barbara moved into the Pioneer Villa, and later moved into the nursing home as health conditions necessitated. Sonny passed quietly and peacefully with his wife by his side at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home on January 24, 2019 at the age of 84. Besides his love for the Navy, life on the farm, and his family, Sonny enjoyed being active and was a very social person. Sonny was very passionate about what he believed in, was very proud of his Danish heritage, and his pride and joy were not only his kids, but his grandkids, and great-grandkids. He approached life with a positive attitude and made the best of each day. His life’s mantra was that the course of his day could be determined a great deal by your attitude and approach to it. And those who knew him well and greeted him daily, would hear him utter, “Perfect”, in response to how he was when asked in greeting. Second only to his love for his bride and his family, were his great fondness of Ford products, John Deere because “nothing runs like a deer”, and his admiration for all the offspring (grandkids, and great-grandkids) that are here as a result of his and Barb’s union. During a conversation with Sonny, one thing seldom left out was a bragging comment about his family, especially the number of grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of whom he was very proud.Sonny was known by people near and far and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee or a cold beer with most anyone who would listen to him. Grateful for and very proud to have shared his life are his wife Barbara Kay (Bauer), four sons and one daughter and their families, and two sisters, Ann Peterson of Centerville, South Dakota, and Mary Bruneau, of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Ida, one brother-in-law Jim Bauer, a son-in-law Kevin Knudsen, and a granddaughter Rebecca Miller. Sonny enjoyed his community of Viborg and cherished his many close friendships. He was a “social butterfly” and especially enjoyed his time at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home. He kept active and social and was especially honored to be crowned Valentine Day King in February 2018 along with his bride Barbara who was crowned queen. This will always be remembered as a special day. Remaining family members wish to extend their thanks to all for their continued prayers and support and a huge thank you to the staff of Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home, and hospital for whom Dad had a special admiration. He loved all the staff there and was very happy to live his remaining days surrounded by so many good people who provided the great care to Mom and Dad when they needed it. Surviving children and extended family: Robert Martin (Marty), Jr., Susan (Nick) Barbour, and Sally Miller; Randal Mark (Mark), Randal, Jr. Reece Miller; Ross Milton (Mick), Chasity (Justin) Oswald, Shannon (Mike) Shlapkohl; Richard Michael (Mike), Denise, Samantha, Kimberly, Michelle, and Martin; Karen Knudsen. Jordan, (Ashley), MiKayla, (Kyle), Sage, Keeley (Cory) Jacobsen, Tori. Sonny is also survived by many nieces, and nephews, and by his pride and joy the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carry on his legacy.