Norman Miller

Norman Archie Miller, age 85, of Baxter, MN, formerly of Minneapolis, Elk River, and Bloomington, MN, passed away on April 10 at Northern Lakes Senior Center in Baxter.

Norman was born on October 13, 1940, in Minneapolis, MN to Archie and Gertrude Miller. He was the oldest of two children and graduated from high school in Richfield, MN. Norman married his high school sweetheart Marlene Hagfors in Columbia Heights, MN in 1961, enjoying 64-plus years of marriage. They first lived in NE Minneapolis, then North Minneapolis, then back to Architect Avenue in NE Minneapolis where they raised their four children: Mark, Michele, Lynnette and Cynthia. Later, they moved to Elk River, MN, Bloomington, MN and finally Baxter, MN.

Norm devoted himself to learning and working with computers and engineering. He attended three years at the University of Minnesota studying engineering and five corporate schools in several states across his career.

His work career began at SCM North America. He then worked for Olivetti as a typewriter and computer repairman and troubleshooter. Finally, Norm worked 18.5 years at the downtown Minneapolis Post Office as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in October 2002 at the age of 62. During his retirement years, he drove a special ed. bus for Elk River Schools.

Norm was a lifelong Lutheran. He was confirmed in 1954 at Richfield Lutheran Church, reaffirmed his faith in Christ in 1983, was a member at First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights, MN where he and Marlene spiritually raised their family. There he served as a deacon and enjoyed being a member of the church’s men’s bowling team. In retirement, he along with Marlene delivered meals to shut-ins with Meals on Wheels, he was a small group Bible study leader at Central Lutheran Church of Elk River and accompanied the church youth on a mission trip.

Norm had many interests in life. As a boy, he was a boy scout with Archie as his troop leader, and he enjoyed many summers with his cousins at his uncle’s farm near Willmar, MN. He loved nature and enjoyed fishing, biking, hiking, picnics, his parents’ cabin and his in-laws' hobby farm. He loved the water and the ice and taught his children to love swimming and ice skating (Marlene gave him his figure skates when they were dating).

He and Marlene enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Norway, Alaska, Maine, Washington, among other destinations. They enjoyed camping with their children at many different state parks. Norm loved to collect cars, memorabilia, and pictures of the people and places he and Marlene enjoyed.

Norm enjoyed teaching others and showing his children how to fix things and was persistent in solving problems whatever they were. He frequented the library, taught classes there, and taught his children to be lifelong learners.

Norm and Marlene loved playing games with friends, their children, and their grandchildren. They were part of a “500” card club that stayed together for over fifty years.

Enjoying the Fine Arts of music, theatre, and films was a favorite outing with Marlene. They attended over 20 performances in their first year of retirement. Norm himself had a great voice. Norm particularly loved Oldies music that recalled memories of good times with Marlene. He and Marlene were known for singing with the caregivers at Northern Lakes.

Norm and Marlene were friends with everyone in their churches, communities and workplaces. If you visited them in their home even once, you were “family” to Norm and Marlene from that time on. They were known by name at the Perkins restaurant in Elk River, the Bakers Square restaurant in Bloomington, and the Maid of Scandinavia restaurant in Bloomington.

Norm also had a passion for genealogy and kept detailed records and pictures revealing his honor for his predecessors and his love for his family and legacy. He took joy in knowing that one of his Norwegian American great great great grandfathers helped to start the Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, MN and his Swedish American grandfather helped to start the Harris (MN) Covenant Church. He demonstrated his writing gifts, gracious spirit and kindness in an article titled, “My Three Dads,” published in the Sr. Perspective (Lindbergh Edition) newspaper.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents Archie and Gertrude Miller, brother Bruce Miller, half-brother Charles Ramberg, and biological father Fred Ramberg.

Norman is survived by his wife, Marlene, his half-sister Patricia (Ramberg) Ottenstroer of Burnsville, MN, his half-brother Duane Ramberg of Roseville, MN, and his sister-in-law Georgia Miller of Richfield, MN, and his children: Mark (Renee) of North Oaks, MN, Michele (Roland) of Rochester, MN, Lynnette (Daniel) of Brainerd, MN, and Cynthia (Dane) Christensen of Hudson, WI; 13 grandchildren: Beate (Fidel), Kristofor (Alicia), Erik (Zaneta), Bjorn (Christine), Kiersten (Istvan), Vanessa (Keith), Kjersti, Lynnea (Tim), Anders (Alexandria), Marta, Anthony, Jens, and Nina; 15 great grandchildren: Viviana, Olivia, Ragnar, Brooklynn, Kate, Beckett, Nolan, Thor, Harrison, Camden, Odin, Everett, Aria, Rowan, and Isabella; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and good friends.

Norm was a man who valued family and faith in how he lived and interacted with others in his family, extended family and others he met with Marlene throughout their 64-plus years of marriage.

Shortly before his passing, he said, “I had a wonderful life. We have four wonderful children. My greatest gift would be to know my children continue to gather together and do life together.” He also recently shared a quote to remember: “Birth is just an event, but your life is your path to living.”

A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place at a later date to be determined.