Jerre Austin Miller

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Miller, Jerre Austin Born January 25, 1932, died January 23, 2017. Lifelong resident of Hopkins, MN. Hopkins lost a founding resident. Jerre passed from this world surrounded by his family. Preceded in death by parents Archie H., Ruth and son Stephen, age 3. Jerre is a 4th generation Hopkins resident who spent his childhood picking raspberries & blowing up stumps at his parent's house on Miriam Road and local farms. He graduated from Hopkins High School in 1950 & maintained lifelong friendships with his class of 2 Bits. He graduated from St. John's University in 1954, where he was the 123 pound MIAC State wrestling champion & team coach. He was a page for the Minnesota State Senate & was drafted for the Korean war in 1954. Jerre met the love of his life on a blind date & married Ginny Schirber from South Dakota in 1958. He worked his way through William Mitchell College of Law while working at St. Paul Fire & Marine. In 1962 he added his name as partner to the Hopkins law firm of Vesely & Otto, where he spent his entire career. Jerre worked on every Hopkins Junior Chamber of Commerce committee & was rewarded with every honor & office of the Jaycee organization including president. In 1965 he was recognized for distinguished service by the Minnesota Jaycees as one of 10 Outstanding Young Men. He served the local Rotary, Knights of Columbus & Elks and as chairman of Raspberry Festival, March of Dimes, Heart Fund Drive & the DSA Committee. Jerre was grand marshal of the Raspberry Parade & shared grand marshal responsibilities for the St. Pat's Day parade with brothers Jim & Bob. Jerre served almost every commission for the city of Hopkins, then elected to city council and 3 terms as mayor. Then served as city attorney for Hopkins & Medicine Lake. As mayor he created the Mayor's Downtown Council leading to the revitalization of the downtown. Locals will recall the serpentine Welcomall, at times referred as "Miller Mall" with mild disdain. Jerre wisely advised his children not to go into politics. Jerre loved whipping all comers in tennis & fishing at the cabin with family, as well as gourmet cooking. He loved a good argument & it didn't matter which side he took. In fact, he might switch sides just for fun. Through it all he maintained his love of the law & his quick wit. Most of all he loved his wife Ginny. Fifty-eight years of marriage went too quickly; his secret to a successful marriage is the ability to laugh. A lot. Jerre is Survived by his wife Ginny, sons Michael (Mary Olk), John (Nancy), David (Mary), daughter Stephanie (Russ), brothers Jim & Bob, grandchildren Cody, Kadi, Kaci, Luci, James, Bridgid, Austin, Jacob, cousins, nieces & nephews. Funeral services will be held at St Gabriel's Church, 1310 Mainstreet Hopkins at 11:00 am Friday, Jan. 27. Visitation will be at the church one hour before. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St John's University or Hopkins Historical Society.

Published on January 25, 2017