In Memory of Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller, age 46, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at his home, of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2018, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Andrew “Andy” Miller, the son of Lloyd and Kathleen (Kinney) Miller, was born on February 10, 1972, in Sioux City, Iowa. Andy grew up in Ida Grove and graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1990 after achieving All State honors in Chorus and Speech.  He went on to continue his education at Wayne State College where he participated in choir, band, marching band and jazz band.

On August 29, 1992, Andy married the love of his life, Brenda Iosty, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. The couple settled in Andy’s great-grandparent’s house in Ida Grove, in which they created a home that was always open to their family and friends.   They were blessed with three children, Robinson, Samuel, and Caroline.

Andy was introduced to the art of bridge building at a young age, going out on his dad’s bridge sites on the weekends.  He worked summers on paving crews and eventually started full time on a bridge/culvert crew with Dixon Construction in 1995.  He then went on to work at Godbersen-Smith in 1999, becoming a Project Superintendent in 2001.   Andy continued a successful career until his forced early retirement in 2013.

Andy was a lifelong member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove. He served as a chairman for four years of the Maple River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited where he earned State recognition for enhancing the Chapter. He was an avid supporter of local conservation efforts.  Andy was active on the Ida Grove Ambulance Service as an EMT, Assistant Director, and Training Director.   Andy was a performer and board member at the Holstein Community Theater, appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Mary Poppins.  From a young age, Andy participated in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Life Scout, and he enjoyed introducing the next generation to the love of Scouting. Andy continued his dedication to serving others through his gifts to the Iowa Donor Network.

Andy was at home in the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and taking his dogs for a run at the park. As a true renaissance man, Andy’s love for the outdoors was only surpassed by his love of music. He enjoyed classical to heavy metal, and everything in between.  Andy loved the trombone, and played the tuba in the German Band, and at Tuba Christmas.  He lent his vocal talents with many different people and groups in the community.  Andy loved enriching other people’s lives by sharing his knowledge of music, the outdoors, Scouting, and life saving with all. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Brenda Miller of Ida Grove, Iowa; children Robinson (Shannon) Miller, Samuel Miller, and Caroline (Nate) Homan, all of Ida Grove, Iowa; grandson Louis Miller; father Lloyd (Carole) Miller of Tracy, Minnesota; brothers Michael Miller of Chicago, Illinois and Lucas (Tiffany) Miller of Spirit Lake, Iowa; sister Stephanie Miller of Issaquah, Washington; nephews Maxwell and Ian Miller; and extended family and friends.

Andy was preceded in death by his mother Kathy Miller; infant brother William; his maternal grandparents Doc and Audrey Kinney; and his paternal grandparents Julius and Elsie Miller.