Rodger Miller, 87 year old of Long Prairie, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024 at the Long Prairie Care Center. 

A funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Peace United Church in Long Prairie. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Peace United from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service the day of the funeral. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Evergreen Cemetery in Long Prairie.

Rodger Lloyd was born on March 18, 1937, the son of Earl and Cecilia (Mills) Miller of Sioux Falls, Iowa. Rodger attended school until the 10th grade. He then started working and helping his parents. Rodger eventually would start working in the excavating business, which would become a lifetime of playing in the dirt; a big kids dream. Through the years of working as an excavator, Rodger rarely met a stranger and if he did, they left as friends. On April 9, 1959, at the Methodist Church in Long Prairie, Rodger married the love of his life, Janice “Jan” Eberle. Their union would be blessed with eight children, Terry, Gordon, Thomas, Theresa, Neal, Tammy, Rodger and Patricia.The couple would raise their family in rural Long Prairie.

When Rodger was not busy working, he spent as much time as possible with his family. He often would be found giving his kids and grandchildren rides on the four-wheeler or fishing on an area lake during the winter months. He was the jokester of the family. Often teasing people whether he knew you or not. He could always get a smile or chuckle out of you. In his down time, he could be found in his garden, working with wood in his shop or back in the day fixing up an old hotrod. Rodger as an adult learned how to tickle the ivory on an organ, sharing his music with the love of his life serenading her with some of their favorite songs. Rodger rarely was without one of his four-legged best friends. His dogs were his constant companions. He loved going to the Sauk
Centre Truck Stop solving world problems with his buddies.

Rodger and Janice loved creating new memories with their children and grandchildren, often going for drives to visit them or check out the local scenery. Their love lasted just over 67 years. The number of memories they made were plentiful!

On Friday, August 2, 2024, Rodger took his last breath here on earth. He was 87 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Jan; children, Terry (Cheryl) Miller, Gordon (Gloria) Miller, Thomas (Nancy) Miller, Theresa (Brian) Spandl, Neal (Mindy) Miller, Tammy (Marty) Mueller, Rodger (Sue) Miller, and Patricia (Scott) Kleinschmidt; sixteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and sister, Shirley John. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Fern Miller; brother, Richard Miller; sisters, Marilyn McNeal and Betty Bardeaux.