Crookston – Kathleen Margaret Miller, age 95, of Crookston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by her loving daughters.
Kathleen was born on January 6, 1930, in Urbank, to Joseph and Mary Kraemer. She grew up in Urbank and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School, where she discovered her passion for theater and was an active cheerleader. Shortly after high school Kay and her soulmate Phil began their 56-year marriage on October 5, 1948, in Urbank.
Together, Kay and Phil ran the Miller Shopping Center and gas station in Millerville, before Phil pursued a career with the Minnesota State Patrol. After Phil graduated from patrol school, they moved to Crookston, in 1960 with their young family. Kay quickly embraced her new community and became a vital and beloved member of Crookston.
Kay was joy and love in motion. She brought her magic to performing with the Crookston Community Theater and with the Eleanor Maves’ Singing Sextet. She was honored by the Crookston Rotary Club for her community service and was active in Ken Study Club, in addition to being a devoted charter member of the Catholic Daughters, the Cathedral PTA, and the St. Francis and Riverview Hospital Auxiliaries. She was very involved at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish spending time in the Adoration Chapel, singing in the church choir for 50 years and serving as a communion distributor at both the church and the hospital, deeply embracing her faith, and giving back to her church. In 2015, Kay was named Experienced American by the Golden Link Center and Crookston Park and Recreation.
Kay had a passion for life, and she celebrated it daily. She hosted lovely dinner parties, organized bridge games, and took memorable hockey trips with friends. She enjoyed creating happy moments, often filled with singing and dancing. She was part of a birthday club that brought her delight over the years. She always said, “If it isn’t fun we don’t do it, and if it isn’t cute, we don’t wear it!” And of course, she did it and she wore it!
In addition to her many community involvements, Kay worked as a home health aide for the Polk County Nursing Service and later assisted the sheriff with transporting female prisoners across the state. Upon retirement, Kay and Phil enjoyed traveling and spending time at their place at Cass Lake, and a condo in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Kay was most proud of her five children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She loved her family deeply and made it clear that they were her greatest joy and priority. She and Phil built a loving home that was a haven for friends and family gatherings, laughter, and love.
Kay’s family will forever treasure her many sayings, especially her motto to live by: “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, ‘WOO HOO, what a ride!”
Left to cherish her memories and honor her life are Kay’s five children and their spouses: Nick and Patty Miller of Buffalo; Bob Miller of Gilbert, AZ; Mary Miller of White Bear Lake, and her partner Bob Herkenhoff of Crookston; Marsha Miller and her husband, John Chell, of Grand Rapids; and Jim and Lori Miller of Lino Lakes. She also leaves her eight grandchildren to cherish her life well lived: Amy Miller, Philip Miller, Mark Goiffon, Betsy Belczak, Kate Chell, Chelsea Miska, Justin Miller, and Ryan Miller; nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Bernadette Stein of St. Cloud; brother-in-law, Joseph Miller and his wife Betty of Blaine; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is further survived by a large and loving circle of friends who accompanied her magnificently on her life’s journey.
Preceding her in death are her parents; beloved husband, Philip; daughter-in-law, Renee Kuznia Miller; brothers, George, LeRoy, Cornelius, Joseph and Robert; and sisters, Pauline, Marie and Virginia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. with visitation two hours prior on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. A luncheon will follow at the Crookston Inn. Interment will take place later at Fort Snelling National Cemetery next to her husband.
Her service will be livestreamed, a link to which will be available at www.stenshoelhouske.com/obituaries/kathleen-kay-miller.
Memorials may be directed to the Crookston Community Theater, PO Box 264, Crookston, MN, 56716; or the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception choir, 702 Summit Ave, Crookston, MN, 56716.
Kay will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
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