Virginia Miller

Velva “Virginia” (Mrs. Archie) Miller, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at her home. She was born December 8, 1921, on the family farm near Marion, North Dakota, the daughter of Ingrid and Benjamin Johnson. She grew up on the farm, along with her six siblings. Following her high school graduation, she attended North Dakota Agriculture College (now NDSU) in Fargo for a short time, and then graduated from Valley City State Teacher’s College with a teaching degree. In 1942 she moved to Brocket, North Dakota to take a teaching position. While teaching there she met a charming bachelor by the name of Archie Miller. They were married in 1944 in a Catholic church near Brocket, and made their home in Brocket until 1957. At that time they moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Virginia was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, homemaker, and bookkeeper. She enjoyed music, learning to play the organ, piano, accordion, and French horn. She loved her kitchen, mastering the Bohemian dishes of her husband’s heritage, but her specialty was her cookies, candies, puddings, desserts and cinnamon bread. Each Christmas she always made traditional Swedish spritz cookies and many other goodies. Virginia was full of love for her children and grandchildren and showed this love in a gentle, kind manner. Preceding her in death were her siblings; Burt Johnson, Edith Bommersbach, Lillian Johnson, Alice Boddy, and Bernice Shelby. Survivors include her husband Archie; daughter, Beverly Miller of Fergus Falls, and son Gary Miller of Tampa, FL; four granddaughters; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, Arnes (Ruby) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: One hour prior to the services at the Church Service: 10:30 Wednesday March 14, 2012 - at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Fergus Falls. Clergy: Father Greg Paffel Interment: St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Brocket North Dakota Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.