Larry Reuben Miller, age 82, of Carroll, Iowa, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Nursing Home in Carroll, with family by his side.
A private family graveside burial service will be held on April 13, 2023, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa, with Pastor Ryan Roehrig officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Larry’s name for a later designation and may be mailed to: Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home c/o Larry Miller – 705 N. Carroll St. Carroll, IA 51401.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Larry was born on March 28, 1941, in Danbury, Iowa, the son of Reuben and Clara (Strate) Miller. He graduated with honors from both South Sioux City High School in 1959 and the University of South Dakota in 1963, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science degrees. He then attended college at Iowa State University and later graduated with honors in 1975 at Northwest Missouri State University, where he received his Master of Science in Education.
Larry was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Sac City, Iowa, and his faith in God and family were of highest importance to him. Larry was united in marriage to Nancy Ullerich on September 27, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, Audubon County, Iowa. To this union, four children were born (Vickie, Lonnie, Suzette and Mary).
Larry spent most of his professional career as a school principal, activities director, mathematics teacher and coach. He received multiple honors, including Southwest Iowa Football Coach of the Year in 1973. He had many cherished memories, including State Tournament appearances, and a special gift of thanks that he received for “being used as God’s instrument” and uplifting others while employed at a private Christian school. Larry retired in 2005.
Larry enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing, traveling, listening to music and at times sharing his vocal talent by singing in the church choir. He traveled with his family to all 50 US States, the Bahamas, Canada and Mexico. He was a die-hard Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and also loved the LA Dodgers. Over the years he showed a special interest in Ford Thunderbird cars and owned several T-birds. In the last few years of retirement, you would find him watching old westerns (his favorites being John Wayne movies), playing cards, visiting the library and attending church and congregate meals. His grandchildren always brought a big smile to his face. He looked forward to frequent visits and phone calls with his children and their families, and usually ended these visits/calls with “Bye for now”-a reminder that, if life on earth should end before the next visit/call, we will see one another again in Heaven.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Lonnie and Julie, daughters Vickie, Suzette (Dave) and Mary (Logan), grandchildren Shane, Nathan, Shelby (Antonio) and Haylee, great-grandchildren Alaina and Adelyn, sister-in-law Mary Lou, and nieces Jolynn (Randy) and Mary Leigh (Ross) and their families.
He was preceded in death by Nancy on October 16, 1990; parents, Reuben and Clara; a brother, LeRoy; and a sister and brother-in-law Laraine and Jerry (Kingston).
Larry’s family would like to extend a sincere “Thank You” to the staff at St. Anthony Nursing Home and St. Anthony Hospice for the care he received during his stay.