Jerome "Jerry" Miller

Jerome "Jerry" Miller, age 79, of Burnsville, MN, formerly of Watertown, SD, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021, at his residence.  Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.  Father Richard Fox will officiate.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.

Jerome Frederick Miller, Jerry, born August 15, 1942 in Spokane, Washington, passed away in the early morning of October 1, 2021 in Burnsville, Minnesota, just South of Minneapolis after a 5 year decline with Alzheimer's. The son of Glenn Wilcox Miller (Spotty) and Harriet Roby Miller, he grew up from age two in Watertown, South Dakota, attended Immaculate Conception School, Watertown High School, and South Dakota State University. In High School he distinguished himself as a sprinter in track and as a member of the WHS Arrows 1959 State Champion basketball team and the 1960 State Runner-up Champion basketball team. His nickname, Pogo, described his jumping ability. 

His two years with the SDSU campus radio station prepared him for his move to Sioux Falls where he worked from 1962 until 1967 at KELO radio and KELO television. In 1967 Jerry moved to Vermillion where he worked for several years with South Dakota Public Television before moving to Minneapolis and employment at Northern States Power where he worked until he retired as NSP’s Director of Media Production. His lifelong love of photography served him well in his work, as well as endearing him to his family. Jerry lovingly documented weddings and graduations of nieces and nephews and family gatherings. Jerry was a member of the South Dakota Air National Guard where his duties as a photographer served the Air Guard’s needs and filled scrapbooks with sometimes harrowing shots from helicopters and airplanes. He became an early adopter of Apple computers and an expert at all sorts of Apple’s graphics and photographic capabilities.

Jerry had a deep love for his family and always wanted to “be there” as support for everything from celebrations to surgeries.  He was an avid reader, loved music and sports, especially golf. He wrote and recited poetry, loved E.E. Cummings, was quick with a quip, and could bring smiles and laughter to all with his limericks. Jerry was a good tennis player, a better golfer, and best at juggling, which he patiently taught to his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews, bestowing juggling balls or beanbags on some who showed progress.  He was married to Mayna Stancill for many years.  Jerry was a devout Catholic, attending daily Mass for many years as an adult.

Jerry is survived by his five younger siblings Ron (Marguerite) of Chadron, NE, Mike (Marilyn) Otsego, MN, near Minneapolis, Steve (Charlotte) of Prior Lake, MN, near Minneapolis, Ginny Weeks (Woody) of Brookings, SD, and Judy of Beresford, SD, and 13 nieces and nephews, and 17 grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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