James Miller

James E. Miller, 77, New Effington, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Funeral Services will be Friday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with Rev. Pat Schubert officiating. Music will be provided by Deb Bredvik, Scott Anderson, and Sisters by Heart.  

Burial will be in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington. Honorary urn bearers will be his grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church.

James Edward Miller, the pinnacle example of a fierce loving and hardworking man, was born on December 10, 1948 in Breckenridge, MN to Donald and Helen (Gardner) Miller of Fairmount, ND, where he also attended high school.

In the year of 1970, Jim was united in marriage to Darlene Schultz (New Effington), a love story that on May 16th, 2026, celebrated 56 years – an accomplishment not enough couples can claim. He loved Darlene with all his being, and together they faced many trials and tribulations.

To their union, two children were born – Michael and Elizabeth, followed by grandchildren and great grandchildren, in which Jim took great pride in, and was ALWAYS there for. Throughout his life, Jim’s hard work, grit, and perseverance always shined bright.

In his earlier years, Jim worked for John Eggers (New Effington), followed by working for Kirby Chapman (Fairmount), which then led to years of working at the Dog Food Plant in New Effington. He was the King of Mechanics and knew how to fix dang near anything. He then turned to the restaurant workforce when he and Darlene began the journey of entrepreneurship when they opened the J & D Drive In in Rosholt, SD. After two years, they decided to move their business to Wheaton, MN, when they owned and operated the Miller’s Dairy Way for SIXTEEN successful years. They eventually sold and decided to enjoy a slower life when they moved back to Darlene’s hometown of New Effington – but anyone who knew Jim knew that there was no slow down in his bones.

He spent the remainder of his years helping on the McDaniel family farm, tinkering on any project he could get his hands on, and enjoying the winter months in Mesa, AZ, with his Val Vista Village friends and family.

Jim will forever be remembered, especially by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all those who knew him and called him a friend. He was a kind, hardworking soul who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, and he was ALWAYS ready to have the best time.

His laugh, his smile, his kindness, and his knowledge of all the things are some of the prominent things that will be remembered most and best about James. He is so missed already, and the memory of him will never fade, a testament to his loving and helpful soul.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Helen (Gardner) Miller; an infant brother Floyd; sister Bernice; Darlene’s parents Herbert and Alyce (Smith) Schultz; sister-in-law Paulette Ceroll; brother-in-law Dale ‘Herbie’ Schultz; brother-in-law Doug Krause; brother-in-law Greg Dalberg; and nephews Dustin Krause and Trevor Skarphol.

On May 26, 2026, Jim’s legendary soul was called to Heaven by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is survived (and will NEVER be forgotten by) his loving wife Darlene; children Michael (Crista) and Elizabeth (Dale); brother Oren (Rose Mary); brother Wayne (Lori); grandchildren Dalton (Kimberly), Hayley (Kailyn), Tanner (Alison), Savannah (Todd), Tore, Payton, and Xaiden; great grandchildren Emmalyn, Brynlee, Elliot, Louise, Scarlett, and Jonah; sister-in-law Karen (Rick) Foltz; brother-in-law David Ceroll; and several nieces and nephews.