Eugene Miller, age 77, died on Saturday, March 19, 2016 due to the effects of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Visitations will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at Ascension Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church Wednesday, March 23 at 10:30 a.m.

Eugene was born in Watertown, SD to Leslie and Clara (Begalka) Miller. He spent his early childhood years in Goodwin, SD. His family moved to Brookings in 1943 where he graduated from Brookings High School in 1956. He attended South Dakota State graduating in 1960 with a BS Degree in Wildlife Conservation. In 1961 he enlisted in the US Air Force and served the next four years in Texas. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Brookings and was employed by the USDA at the Northern Grain Insects Lab for 31 years. He received a MS degree in entomology in 1970.

He married Zoe Ann Larson in 1969 in Hudson, SD. He and Zoe moved north of Aurora in 1970, where he served as township clerk for 28 years, and also had the Dixon Lawn Mower dealership.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and gunsmithing; he held a Federal Firearms License for over 50 years. He collected firearms, stamps, and coins and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading. He held lifetime memberships in the American Legion, NRA, and NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees). He was a member of the SD Wildlife Federation.

His survivors include his wife Zoe, daughter Anne (John Solsrud) of Osceola, WI, son Mark (Denise) of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren Adam and Zachary Solsrud, and Hayden and Ivy Miller; brother Dennis of Lufkin, TX; two aunts and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.