Rudolph Miller

Rudolph Melvin Miller, “Rudy” to most and “Mel” to others, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025. He was 87 years old.

Rudy was born January 13, 1938 to Allen and Mabel (Hagen) Miller on the family farm in Sarpy Creek near Hysham, MT. He was delivered by family friend Mrs. Cramer, whom he remained close to until her passing. Rudy was the baby of the family with 5 older siblings. Rudy loved the farm life and had some favorite horses and dogs. Times were tough back then and became even harder when his parents divorced. Rudy ended up attending 14 schools.

Rudy went to work farming at a young age, and also picked up any odd job he could to help support the family. He took great care of his mother and disabled brother throughout their lives. He was a loving and devoted son.

Rudy met his future wife Judy, while he and his friend Bruce Lawrence, were “cruising the drag” in downtown Missoula. They stopped to change a flat tire for Judy and her friend Pat Serba. It was love at first sight, and Rudy and Judy were married September 10, 1962. They had four children, Tammy, Scott, Rick, and Trevor (who joined the family later and was loved like a son).

Rudy started working at the Anaconda Mill in Bonner in January 1962, on a day that was 30 below. Within a couple years he had worked his way up to Lumber Grader in the Planer, where he worked for the rest of his career. The mill went through many owners, but Rudy worked there for 38 years, retiring in 2000. He made many lifelong friendships at the mill including Shorty Plieness, who had recently visited him along with June Rippley whose husband Dennis had worked at the mill.

Rudy was a great father and always did everything for his kids. In 1976, he purchased a ski boat and the family spent every summer weekend at Salmon Lake waterskiing, tubing, and laughing around the campfire. Many treasured memories were made.

In the Fall, Rudy could be found in the woods hunting with his sons. He loved hunting elk. They laughed a lot and had many hunting adventures through the years, but they all pretty much ended with “Don’t tell your mother!”

Rudy had a life time love for anything John Deere. He was a farmer/rancher at heart and had his own cattle brand. While the kids were at home, he always kept a small herd of cows. This allowed the family to always have home raised beef. Rudy and Judy threw many a party and BBQ where T-Bone steak was the main course!

After retiring from the mill, Rudy was ecstatic to be able to take care of his grandchildren, after school and during the summers. He always had an adventure planned such as biking across town. He loved and adored his 7 grandchildren. They were the light of his life. They would all pile into the hot tub with Grandpa and have sleep overs on the trampoline.

Rudy was a very caring person and made lifelong friends everywhere he went. He was always ready to lend a hand to anyone. He would help people repair their homes, fix their cars, anything that was needed he was there. His kids often dreaded going with him on a quick trip to the store because no matter where he went, he would see friends and want to catch up (but they were proud of him for always valuing his friendships).

Rudy and Judy loved to decorate their house for the holidays especially Halloween and Christmas. Their Halloween decorations scared many a trick-or-treater and were often highlighted on the news, while their Christmas decorations were on the holiday bus tour. They hosted many get togethers at their home such as pinochle card parties, and neighborhood block parties.

Rudy and Judy loved to travel and had seen most of the US, taken many cruises, and enjoyed visiting lots of different countries.

After Judy retired in 2013, they became “snowbirds” and spent the next 6 years wintering in Yuma, AZ accompanied by their dear friends, Pat Serba and Dan Jones. While enjoying the warm winter days they traveled throughout the Southwest taking in all the sights, and spent many days in Mexico enjoying the street vendors and sidewalk cafes.

Rudy is survived by his children, Tammy (Pat) Brook, Scott (Dina) Miller, Rick (Jodie) Miller, and Trevor (Clare) Melugin. His grandchildren, Amanda (Barret) Tabert, Thomas Brook, Kip Vetos, Reilly Vetos, Haley Miller, Nick Miller, and Nathan Miller. And his great-grandsons, Robert and Mark Tabert. Rudy is also survived by his sister Tillie Drawbond and his brothers-in-law Jim Loran and Jerry Loran, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special shout out to Rudy’s son-in-law Pat Brook, who went to see him every day at The Springs. And a thank you to Reiny Erhart, Byron Newman, Bruce Lawrence, and Ketty Monzon for the many visits and calls right up to his last days.

Rudy was preceded in death by his wife Judy in 2023, his parents, his sisters Elizabeth Yoder, Amanda Bontrager, and Mabel Rexford, his brother Sonny Miller, sisters-in-law, Edine Loran, and Keeta Loran, and brothers-in-law Gid Yoder, and Emmett Drawbond.

The family wishes to send an extra special thank you to the outstanding caregivers at The Springs Footsteps Memory Care. Rudy and his family so appreciated the outstanding, caring, and loving care he received. May God bless each of you.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 10:30 am at St. Mary's Annex Cemetery on Scott Street (between Otis and Rogers). Followed by a lunch reception at 12:00 pm (Noon) at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway.