Richard J. Miller

Richard J. Miller, 92 of Omaha, NE formerly of Primrose, NE passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, NE.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2022, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, NE with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz and Msgr. Ralph Steffensmeier officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Primrose, NE. Visitation will be 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the church with a 6:30 p.m. Wake Service.

Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard John Miller, son of Jacob and Adola (Brik) Miller was born on August 1, 1929 at Primrose, NE.  He was baptized, received first communion, and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Primrose, NE.  Richard attended Primrose Public School and graduated in 1946. He then attended Milford trade school from 1954-1956 for welding.  In August of 1951 Richard was drafted into the United States Army and received his basic training at Camp Chaffey in Arkansas.  He served overseas in Japan, and was honorably discharged in August of 1953.  Upon returning home, Richard worked in Omaha where he met his future wife, on a blind date with some mutual friends.

On November 18, 1961, Richard was united in marriage to Mary Patricia Bock at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Omaha, NE.  They lived in Omaha where Richard welded at Freuhauf until 1964 when they moved to their farm north of Primrose.  Richard farmed until 1998 when he retired.

Farming was a career and hobby for Richard. He enjoyed visiting and telling stories. He enjoyed his neighbors and was always willing to help any of them.  He enjoyed spending time with his wife and children and then the grandchildren.  He taught the grandchildren how to drive his pickup and his Ford Tractors at an early age.  He enjoyed watching basketball, baseball and football. He always put others first in his world, even when it meant putting his own needs after others.  Richard was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Primrose, NE then St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Omaha, NE.  He was a devout Catholic and always did his best to take part in the sacraments.

He farmed long enough to see many changes in the way farming is done, and still appreciated the old tried and true methods over the newest methods. He learned lessons from his father about not taking on debt to farm.  This may have not always been the popular way, but it served him well.  He was a strong proponent of always having a diverse operation. Growing wheat when it wasn't always a common crop in the area.

During his later years after Pat's passing, he moved to an apartment in Omaha to be closer to family.  He was always quick with a joke and loved to share them with the people in the office at his apartment complex.

Richard is survived by his daughters Michaela (Rick) Hixson of Omaha, NE; Jane (Mike) Ortmeier of North Bend, NE; four grandchildren: Troy and Trent Hixson of Lincoln, NE; Matt and Megan Ortmeier of North Bend, NE; brother Harold (Gwen) Miller of Albion, NE; sisters: Cecelia Keber of Albion, NE; Mary Kay Henkenius of California; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Patricia; brothers Raymond, Edward, and Leo; sisters Margaret Berger and Irene Gilroy.