Funeral services for Robert B. Miller Jr., age 81, of Freeborn, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Freeborn Congregational UCC. The Rev. Cherri Daniels and the Rev. Doris Underdahl will officiate. Interment will be in the Freeborn Cemetery. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

After a four-year struggle with congestive heart failure, Bob passed away Monday, July 15, 2002, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center after a brief stay.

Robert Bruce Miller Jr. was born Feb. 12, 1921, to Robert B. and Ella (Hunte) Miller in Freeborn. He attended school in Freeborn, graduating in 1939. Bob served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. In 1949, he received his degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota. Bob was united in marriage to Elin Jensen July 31, 1949, in Tyler, Minn. He and his father established Freeborn Lumber Co. in 1946 and Bob operated the business until 1986 when he sold it to his son John. He continued to be involved until his health no longer allowed him to do so.

Bob loved his church and was a lifetime member of Freeborn Congregational UCC, serving as a trustee, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. He also was actively involved with the area community Easter cantatas. Over the years, Bob worked with many churches, including his own, helping them design their church buildings and additions.

Bob’s wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were everything to him. Family get-togethers were paramount to him all his life and took on particular importance during his illness. During Bob’s years on the Freeborn town council, he took special joy in the town’s water, sewer, and road improvements. His town was important to him. Bob took great pleasure in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and the U of M’s Golden Gophers football and basketball games. He enjoyed golfing at Oakview Golf Course with his special friends and attending PGA golfing events. Bob’s family members and others benefited from his woodworking talents. (His grandchildren cherish their desks.) Bird watching also gave Bob great joy.

Survivors include his wife, Elin; his son, John Miller and wife Cindy of Freeborn; daughters: Karen Lundblad and husband Larry, and Lynda Mead and husband David, all of Mankato; grandchildren: Tiffany and Joel Kriesel, Jennifer Miller, Katharine and Brett Graham, Stephanie Lundblad, Ann Mead, Geoffrey Mead, and Lauren Mead; great-grandson, Devin Graham; sister, Mary and husband Art Yokiel; sister-in-law, Alma and husband Dick Schneider; brothers-in-law: Alfred and wife Lida Jensen, and Herluf and wife Mabel Jensen; and special friends: Chris, Jette, and Lisa Lotte Nielsen of Denmark.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris and husband Henry Snater; sister, Phyllis and husband Dennis Olsen; nephew, Christopher Yokiel; great-grandson, Christian Kriesel; and sisters-in-law: Ingrid Ahl, and Thora and husband Johnny Myhre.

Memorials are preferred to the Crossroads Community Hospice, or the Freeborn Congregational UCC.