Ellen Miller

Ellen Miller, age 87, of St. James, died on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James. Funeral services will be 10:30am, Saturday, March 10, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in St. James with Rev. Ken Bowman officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 2012, at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James from 5pm to 8pm and will continue one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Ellen Marie Mickelson was born on the family farm in Rosendale Township, Watonwan County, Minnesota, on August 1, 1924 the daughter of Arnold Irene (Koegan) Mickelson. She grew up in the St. James area where she attended rural school through the 8th grade. On July 19, 1941, she was united in marriage to Merle Miller. The couple made their home in St. James. Ellen worked as a cook at Pleasant View Nursing Home from 1963 until her retirement in 1988. She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she had been involved with circle group, church bizarre, funeral lunch committee, and making lefse. Ellen enjoyed traveling later in life, especially with her daughters and sister Ruth, she enjoyed visiting the casino and playing the penny slots. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ellen is survived by her children; Gary Miller of St. James, Marie (Terry) Awiszus of Sauk Rapids, Janice (Orville) Wojahn of Windom, Phyllis (Gary) Brink of Rushmore, 8 grandchildren; Brad (Tana) Miller, Steve (Simona) Awiszus, Jill (Lowell) Flaten, Kevin Wojahn, Jason (Tammy) Wojahn, Darin (Sara) Brink, Sheri (Corey) VanDerBrink, Jared (Cathy) Brink, 15 great-grandchildren, and brother; Arnold Mike Mickelson of Cottage Grove. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Ole Mickelson and sister Ruth Engelking. Visitation 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Friday, March 9, 2012 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James 906 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, March 10, 2012 First Lutheran Church- St. James 719 6th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081