Hershel Miller of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026 surrounded by his loving family at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Private Graveside service for immediate family will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Hershel Miller was born December 19, 1941 in Council Bluff, IA, son of Lonnie and LaVaughan (McMullen) Miller. The family lived all over the country finally settling in Bagley in 1950. He attended country school near Bagley.

Following a brief romance and wild rodeo, Hershel captured the love of his life, Lois Flinn and the couple were married on October 1, 1967 in Adel, IA. They lived at Menlo, IA for a short time then moved to Dawson, IA where they purchased their first home. To this union five children were born, twins Deanna and Desiree, twins Darla and Denise, and Doyle.

In 1977, the family packed their belongings and traveled for 27 days to Soldotna, Alaska via an unpaved Alcan Highway. He worked for Davis Concrete and later for the city of Soldotna as maintenance superintendent, which he retired from. They enjoyed life in Alaska fishing, hunting, gold-mining, flying and raising their family. In the early 1990’s they moved to Bagley, MN for about three years, then to Minot, ND, Grand Forks, ND and settled in Thief River Falls, MN in 2016.

Hershel enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors. The family camped a lot. He taught his children to shoot, ride dirtbike and snowmobile. Most of all he enjoyed the time with his family.

Survivors include his children, Deanna (Aaron) Joppru, Desiree (Ted) Tollefson, Darla (Jason) Young and Doyle Miller; son-in-law, Wesley DePriest; grandchildren, Kaylee Tennyson, Craig Moore, Coalton Waggoner, Jessica Valkyris (Alex), Kaitlin (Jon) Welle, Karl (Tiffany) Straume, Keith (Autumn) Straume, Kalee Vanderwall, Kaden Vanderwall, Austin (Karnisha) DePriest, Isaac (Jessica) DePriest; great-grandchildren, Alex, Paige, Lilah, Finn, Carsen, Carter, Amberlyn, Xander, Aurora, Gray, Gwen, and Mara; life best friend Joe and Marie Boon; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Lois Miller; daughter, Denise DePriest; parents Lonnie and LaVaughan Miller; brothers Robert Miller and James Miller.