"We\'re so sorry to hear about this tragedy. He was always such a nice man every time you seen him. May he rest in peace. Deepest sympathies to his family."
In loving memory of
Stephen Lee Miller
December 28, 1956 - June 13, 2020
Stephen Lee Miller, 63, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2020, from injuries received in a tractor accident.
A public graveside service and burial celebrating Stephen's life will be held at 11 A.M., Thursday, June 18, 2020 at East Iron Hill Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa. A public memorial visitation will take place from 3 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.
Stephen Lee Miller was born on December 28, 1956 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Donald Franklin and Maxine Faye (Tracy) Miller. He grew up on the family farm and was a 1974 graduate of Maquoketa High School. He married Barbara Spaete on March 19, 1977 in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Ben, Nick and Michele.
Stephen farmed his whole life on the family farm north of Maquoketa. He raised three children and taught them how to work hard, be honest, treat everyone equally and to love and respect the land. He was kind and gentle, loved his family, was easygoing and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He enjoyed playing cards, eating out with his family and would eat pizza of any kind every day. There wasn't a pizza he didn't like! Additionally, he cherished his grandchildren and was an amazing "Popper Doodle" to Braiden, Briley, Levi, Kyra, Evelyn and Hazel. He also had three dear friends who were like brothers to him, Keith Nims, Lyle Rowan and Randy Duhme.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Barbara Miller of Maquoketa, IA; children, Ben (Dawn) Miller of Maquoketa, IA, Nick Miller of Maquoketa, IA, and Michele (Eric) Larson of Maquoketa, IA; his mother, Maxine Miller of Maquoketa, IA; 7 grandchildren, Braiden, Briley, Levi, Kyra, Evelyn, Hazel and Jacob; and sisters, Joyce (Kim) Richardson of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Tracy (Keith) Nims of Davenport, IA. He was preceded in death by his father Donald Franklin Miller on September 1, 2018.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Stephen Lee Miller memorial fund has been established.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Please feel free to call or stop at the funeral home with notes of condolence or leave words of comfort on the funeral home website at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"I only remember Stephen as a little kid back in the day riding the school bus. I was friends with Joyce and knew of the rest of the family through her. Y?all have my deepest sympathy especially when something tragic like this happens. I know Barb is a nurse and glad you have that job to fall back on. I lost my husband unexpectedly in 2006 and couldn?t had made it through without my nursing job. God Bless y?all and I will be sending prayers for God to hold y?all in his hand!"
"Always so welcoming and kind. Know that the Cavanagh family is thinking of all of you and him often these past days. Keith, Lory, Marcus,Steven, and Anthony Cavanagh"
"so sorry for your loss, he was a great guy"
"To Barb, Tracy, Joyce and Families - We are so very sorry for your loss! We remember being in the photo booth with Stephen at Anthony\'s wedding. He was so excited- he said it was his first time in a photo booth - he laughed so much....we couldn\'t get him out! Such a great memory! Hugs and prayers to all of you! May God wrap his arms around you and your families as you navigate the days ahead. We will cherish sweet memories of Stephen with a smile. Our deepest condolences! Love and hugs from Sterling, IL. "
"Such a great man. Huge heart, gentle, genuine, not enough words. He leaves a huge void in the family. Ed and Norma "
"Stephen Miller Family, Our condolences go out to you, such a tragic loss to a family, thoughts and prayers to you all! "
"Great pictures of a great man. Will be missed"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Bill and Patty Arneson "
"So sorry for the tragic loss of Stephen in such a tragic accident. Condolences to Barb and family and close friends. Randy and Linda Duhme and many more. Sincerely Loralee Duhme Malone."
"My deepest sympathies to family and friends."
"My heartfelt sympathy to all of Stephen\'s family and friends. May you find peace and comfort in the love that surrounds you."
"My heart goes out to the Miller family. My prayers are with you. Andy Ervin, National Weather Service Quad Cities"
"God Bless his Sole , and God Bless his Family.Im so sorry to hear of his passing. Alvin Barker"
"Barb, Nick, Ben, Michele and families You are in our thoughts and prayers in your time of loss. I have so many wonderful memories growing up with Nick and Ben that will never be lost. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Michael Peterson and family"
"My heart goes out to all the family and friends ??"
"My deepest sympathy to all of Stephen\'s family and friends, . . . May God comfort all of you and bring you peace and healing ."
"Barb and family, we are so saddened to hear of Stephen\'s accident and passing. Please know we are praying for your strength and sending a hug every few minutes! Charlie and Cathy"
"When I close my eyes, all the good memories come back to me. Driving through the corn fields in the morning to get to the school, eating candy together, watching the dog chasing after us from the window, laughing and joking with each other. Stephen was always on my side with a gentle heart and smile. Thank you so much for welcoming me into your family. Yuriko Konda"
"Heartfelt sympathies to Stephen s families, We were neighbors and rode the bus together,Stephen was always a blast to be around back then, ,Cherish your memories and try to remember something that will make you smile when you think of him, Thanks to whomever shared the pictures,,God Bless you my friend, RIP, Judy Dague, "
"Heartfelt sympathies for Stephens families, We used to be neighbors and rode the bus together to school, Stephen was always a great person to be around back then. RIP my friend. "
"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Leo Buscaglia "
"Sorry to hear about the loss of Stephen. Was a classmate of his and he was such a good guy and hard worker. Praying for God to extend his hand to his family at this grievous time."
"Miller Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Remember Stephen when he was very young spending time at grandpa and grandma Tracey?s. Prayers to entire family."
"Hi barb and family. I grew up with stephen we rented property and my grandpa helped donnie farm helping when needed. We rode tge school bus together and went each others houses to play goof and to goof around. I remember when stephen got a motorcycle and would give me tides hed scare the shit out of me lol. But its things you dont forget. Hang in there its hard i understand. But gid will wztch over him and you. Marvin and lori massey. "
"Barb we were so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Please let us know if you need anything. Mike and Jeanette Muller "
"We are truly sorry for your loss."
"Barb and family. We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers."
"We are so very sorry for your loss of Stephen. Such a terrible tragedy. Ma y God\'s peace give you comfort. Wish we could make it down but Jerry Brown s unable to travel anymore. With love Jerry and Jan Tracy"
"I was so sadden when I seen this. I went yo school with Stephen and he was a wonderful person. My God be with his family and help them through this. You are in my prayers."
"Barb and family, we are so very sorry for the loss of Stephen. Such a wonderful hard working man we were blessed to have worked with! Our hearts go out to all of you during this difficult time. Jeff and Cindy"
"Barb and family, our hearts ache for you all at the loss of a wonderful man! Our prayers are with you during this difficult time! Al and Nancy Muhlhausen"
"Our hearts are heavy. Thinking of you all with sympathy & prayers. My fondest memories of Stephan was working in the fields. Doing what he loved. The farm took his life but not his heart of what he loved. ????"
"To all of the family:: My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Stephen family. I know he worked for our business back a few years ago and am so sorry to hear of this accident. Take care all of you."
"Hugs and prayers for the entire family, so very sorry."
"My deepest sympathy to the Miller family. "
"My thoughts and prayers to Barb and family. Stephen was a very close friend of my brother ,Randy Duhme. He will be missed , but many good memories will remain with his friends and family. With sympathy, Linda Duhme Olson"
"My deepest sympathy to Stephens family. Prayers and thoughts are with you all."
"Deep sympathy to the family"
"Barb and family, you have our deepest condolences in the loss of Stephen such a great husband, father, grandpa, and son. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers ??"
"Barb and family, Were so very sorry for your loss.Stephen was a kind soul who left behind a good family, that he took great pride in. You are all in our prayers, Chris and Paul"
"So sorry for your family\'s loss. My foljs (Milton & Barbara Fern Ringen) use to visit at your folks farm in the 60s. "
"My deepest sympathy to the Miller Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Miller family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kenny, Peg Head-Costello and Marty Clasen"
"Barb and Family
We are so sorry to hear about Stephen. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sending lots of love and hugs.
Lou & Carla"
"Barb and family,
Please know you have my deepest sympathy, saying sorry just doesn\'t seem adequate at this time but pls know you are all being prayed for.
Take care & God Bless.
Carol (Devine) Goebel"
"Thoughts and prayer to Bard and the whole family. Stephen is a great man and he will be missed. As a kid I always liked going to the community volleyball games he set up."