Vello "Butch" Miller

May 26, 1937-January 14, 2021

Vello "Butch" Miller, 83, of Garrison passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison.

Butch was born May 26, 1937 in Milwaukee, WI to Vello "Jack" and Mary (Machok) Miller. He was the second eldest of five children. In the following years, the family spent one year in Sandstone, Minn. and five years in Rockford IL. In 1950, the family packed up and headed for North Dakota where they would settle on a farmstead near Ruso.

On April 23, 1961, Butch married Adriene Sundbakken. While married, they had four daughters; Cheryl, Brenda, Vickie and Traci. Butch cherished his daughters and was so excited when grandchildren began to arrive. He immensely enjoyed spending time with and spoiling all of them.

Butch was a hard worker. For many years, he worked as a foreman for Werner Construction in Minot doing carpentry and concrete.  Upon the death of his father in 1964, he took over the family farm near Ruso. Butch worked hard to continue farming the land and having a successful cattle operation, like his father before him. Butch ran the farm until his retirement in 2006.

After retirement, Butch sold the farm and moved to Lake Audubon. His lake place was his pride and joy and a perfect fit for his outdoorsman lifestyle. He could always be found fishing with his beloved little dog, Dixie. If Butch and Dixie weren't fishing, they were cruising around in his pickup, visiting family and friends.

Butch also loved to hunt. In his younger years, the highlight of his year would be heading to Canada with his buddies to moose hunt. Butch loved hunting any size game in any season.

Whether he was hunting, fishing, camping, sitting on his deck or doing things like mowing the lawn or hand-washing his pickup, Butch could always be found outdoors.

Along with every memory, Butch will live on through his many stories. He always told the best stories. The family would gather around at every get together to hear about all the crazy things he did in the good old days. He was pretty proud of the time he drove Miss North Dakota in his red convertible in the North Dakota State Parade. He also told many stories of boxing, which he learned from his dad and Uncle Matt, who were both Golden Gloves boxers.

Butch, in his younger years, was a notorious tough guy. One of his famous "bar tricks" was heading outside and picking up the back end of a vehicle, tires off the ground, to show his strength. He never took any grief from anyone, even into his older years.

Although tough and hard-working, Butch was a loving man, who could make anyone laugh. His personality and attitude were one-of-a-kind and he will be missed dearly.

Butch is survived by his four daughters , Cheryl (Brent) Kittleson, Brenda (Willie) Miller/Martinez, Vickie (Tony) Miller, Traci (Ken) Adam; Nine grandchildren, Rachael (Brandt) Renaud, Makayla (David) Rime, Shane Kittleson, Alyssa (Josh) Adam, Kyndra (Westin) Adam, Jessica Wood, Lasen Aasand, Lane Aasand; Five-and-a-half great grandchildren, Logan Countryman, Alanah Renaud, Kaylaynn Heldstab, Nevaeh Wood, Ozzie Raethz and Baby Rime coming soon.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Darlene, brothers; Don, Dale and Terry, and grandson, Blaine Kittleson.

There will be a celebration of his life held at a later date.