OSAGE — James Lee “Jim” Miller, 88, of Osage, passed away peacefully Friday evening, September 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 14, at First Grace Lutheran Church, 726 State Street in Osage. Hoff Celebrations – Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jim was born March 22, 1938, in Aplington, Iowa, the son of Johann “Joe” Miller and Katherine Schoneman Miller.
He grew up in Aplington, where he met Evelyn LaVell Haan, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong companion. Jim and Evelyn were married October 3, 1959, and later made their home in Osage, where they raised four daughters and built a life together.
Jim learned carpentry as a teenager, beginning a lifelong connection with building, repairing and creating things with his hands. After moving to Osage, he worked as an electrician until retiring in 1996.
Retirement did little to slow him down.
Jim remained a man who always seemed to have another project underway, whether large or small. Among his most lasting accomplishments was building the family home in the country, including a gazebo that became a familiar sight along the trail to Spring Park.
The outdoors was another important part of Jim’s life.
He loved hunting and fishing, and his interest in hunting eventually led him to open his own gun shop and become a skilled gunsmith.
Fishing drew him north to Minnesota, where he built a cabin on Little Long Lake. Over the years, the cabin became much more than a place to fish. It served as a gathering place for family and friends and the setting for countless adventures, stories and memories.
As much as Jim enjoyed working with his hands and spending time outdoors, family remained at the center of his life.
He is survived by his four daughters, Debra Williamson and Mike Wihlm, Cynthia and Spencer Funk, Sharon and Dan Steele, and Pamela and Peter Berg.
Jim is also survived by his grandchildren, Tera and Malcolm Schenker, Tyrel and Briana Williamson, Levi and Amanda Funk, Chet and Nicole Funk, Tayler Steele, Johann and Rachael Steele, Kolby and Jenna Berg, and Kendra and Seth Plendl; and 24 great-grandchildren, with the family continuing to grow.
He is also survived by a daughter adopted in love, Bonnie and Styles Hoier; his sister, Connie Buus; and sisters-in-law Faye Morhing and Blythe Gienau.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents, Joe and Katherine Miller; brothers Norman and Floyd; sister Jean; and grandson Trevor Williamson.
He will be remembered for his hardworking and independent nature, his skill as a craftsman, his love of hunting and fishing, and the devotion he showed to his family throughout his life.
The houses, cabins and other projects Jim built with his hands will remain behind, but so will something greater — generations of family members carrying memories of the husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who helped build the life they shared.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes remembrance stories free of charge for families and funeral homes.