Earl J. Miller

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was born on February 21, 1923, in Deephaven, MN, the fifth and youngest child of Benjamin F. and Cecilia A. Miller. He met his wife, Delrose (Koch), while working for Minneapolis-Moline in Hopkins. After serving in the army in Japan, they married, started a family, and he began a long career as a warehouse supervisor with SuperValu. Earl and Del began making wine in the 1960s and became accomplished vintners, winning the first three wine competitions held at the Minnesota State Fair. Many of their wines were made with grapes grown in their back yard.

Earl loved life, especially if it involved a glass of a wine by a camp fire, visiting with friends and family, or frequenting the arboretum. He lived for 67 years in a house built on property originally farmed by his grandfather, who immigrated from Bohemia. Earl was a kind spirit who lived with joy. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling to Utah and Montana to spend time with family but was most at home in Minnesota where his son, Mark, was always there to lend a hand. Last year, Earl shared his five secrets to a long life: exercise; wine; good food; more wine; and patience.

Earl passed away on November 18, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife Delrose, and is survived by his children Mark (Barb), Craig     (Rita) and Jody (Dale Horton); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A brief graveside ceremony will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Shorewood, MN, at noon on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Huber Funeral & Cremation Services

Excelsior - 952-474-9595

huberfunerals.com

Published on November 22, 2020