Russell Lee Miller

Kalona-Russell (Russ) Lee Miller was born on June 13, 1942, to Ivan and Ida (Steider) Miller in rural Wellman. He was baptized at Lower Deer Mennonite Creek in rural Kalona, IA at the age of 12 where he remained a faithful member for his entire life. Russ was united in marriage to Lorna Bender on February 22, 1964, at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. They lived most of their married life and raised their three children near Wellman, Iowa. He was self-employed in his farming and custom corn shelling business, Miller's Cob Peeler. He spent his retirement years as a mechanic at Mower's Plus and mowing lawns at the church and cemetery with his Walker mowers. He spent many hours helping people in their time of need through Mennonite Disaster Service and was always willing to help on outdoor and building projects at the church. Russ and Lorna moved to Kalona in 2018. He enjoyed spending time with his family and sharing his love of 2-cylinder John Deere tractors. Russ passed away at Pleasantview Home in Kalona on July 27, 2020 of vascular dementia.

He is survived by his wife Lorna; three children Loren (Deb) Miller from Stanford IL., Luetta (Lamont) Ropp from Wellman, and Lowell (Beth) Miller from Winterset; 7 grandchildren, Aaron, Tim, Ben, David and CJ from Stanford and Lia and Joshua from Winterset; two siblings, a sister, Arlene (Phil) Schwartz from Lewistown, PA, and a brother, Eldon (JoAnn) Miller from Wellman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 am on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Burial will be at Lower Deer Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 29th from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona with the family present from 3:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A memorial fund has been established for Lower Deer Creek Cemetery Fund. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.