Wayne E. Miller, 81, died peacefully at the farm home in rural Oakland on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, after a lifelong association of medical problems.

Wayne was born April 24, 1930, in Austin to Edward and Evelyn “Dora” (Torrens) Miller. On June 21, 1958, he married Leona M. Haberman in St. Joseph.

Wayne was a farmer. His love included the farm, his family, his friends, his faith and his church. He was a member of the Freeborn County Beef Processors, the Minnesota Angus Association, the Mower County Cattlemen’s Association, FFA, 4-H, and St. Edward’s Catholic Church. He was active in 4-H and FFA in his youth and later as an adult, exhibiting livestock at the county fairs, the Minnesota State Fair, Omaha and Denver. His angus herd Tinkle Bell Angus was his pride and joy – especially in the spring with the new baby calves.

Wayne celebrated his 81st birthday on Easter Sunday this year. It was the first time this had ever happened and Easter isn’t supposed to be this late again in April for another 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, Leona Miller, Oakland; four daughters: Susan (Brian) Cook, Moscow, Patricia (Bob) Engle, Boston, Linda Dahl (friend, Jeff), Longmont, Colo., and Karen (Glen) Rothgery, Oakland; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother, Raymond (Mavis) Miller, Austin; extended family, Elizabeth DeBeau, Scott Reinartz, Whinny and many kids.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Francis; and Miller cousins.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Joe Fogal officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The casket bearers will be Glen Rothgery, Scott Reinartz, Jeff Holmes, Bob Engle, Zach Miller-McCall, P.J. Engle, Brian Cook, Megan McMann and Heather Dahl.