Bernard Z. "Ben" Miller

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Bernard Z. "Ben" Miller Memorial Fund. The family has decided to distribute all the monetary memorials equally to First United Methodist Church in Mason City and the North Iowa Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. The family will attend the upcoming Ducks Unlimited banquet and purchase art prints (2) with the Ducks Unlimited portion of the memorials. This purchase will assist Ducks Unlimited in their conservation efforts. The prints will in turn be donated to the IOOF Home and Hospice of North Iowa.

Bernard Zachary Miller was born Dec. 20, 1917, in Sexton, Iowa, to William Z. and Mary E. (Creamer) Miller. He was one of four children born to his parents. Bernard attended schools in Sexton and Algona, graduating from Algona High School. He continued his education in Mason City, earning a degree in 1939 at Hamilton Business College.

Following this graduation, Bernard became employed at the First National Bank in Mason City as a bookkeeper.

"Ben," "Neb," or "Rellim," as he was fondly known by many of his relatives and friends, met Dorothy C. Fraser, his future bride and the love of his life in Sexton, Iowa. They attended high school together and were later married in a quiet ceremony in Mason City on April 22, 1939. Together they cherished each other's company and enjoyed dancing and attending ball games. Ben and Dorothy became the proud parents of three children.

Ben was inducted into the United States Army on April 21, 1944, and served his country during World War II for the following two years. After honorably and faithfully completing his military duties, Ben was formally discharged from the Army on February 4, 1946. He returned to his family in Mason City and resumed his position at the bank.

Throughout his tenure at First National Bank, Ben held many positions of responsibility. When thinking of Ben's professional life, he is described by his family, colleagues and customers as a man who was extremely honest, dependable and a patient listener with a wealth of knowledge in regards to the internal interests of the bank.

He was considered by all to be honorable, loyal, respectful and a strong leader. He served and lived his life, his community and family with a level of high integrity. In December 1982, Ben retired from his positions of executive vice president and member of the Board of Directors at First National Bank after 44 years of dedicated service.

Ben understood the importance and confidentiality of separating his professional life from his personal life. His wife and family were his highest priority. With quiet manner, he taught many lasting lessons to his family and friends. Ben's love and appreciation of nature was evident throughout his life. He spent as much time possible outdoors hunting duck, deer and pheasant, fishing with his daughter at Clear Lake, spending time in his yard and going for walks with his sons along the tracks in East Park and picnics. For many decades, Ben looked forward to his yearly trip to Beulah, Wyo., where he would meet his buddies in hopes of good hunting, good food and great conversation. Traveling to the Rice Lake duck shack was a special event for many years to Ben.

Ben has been involved in many organizations in the past years. He was a member and organizer of Ducks Unlimited, past officer of the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake, past member of the Executive Board for the North Iowa Fair Association, member of the American Bankers Association, past trustee for the Boy Scouts Association, past officer of the North Iowa Mental Health Center, member of the Iowa National Heritage Foundation, the American Legion, Pheasant's Forever, VFW, the National Wildlife Federation, a member of the Waterfowl U.S.A., the Nature Conservancy and First United Methodist Church in Mason City. Ben was the first recipient of the M. Opal Fore Award in 1980 for outstanding achievement in the area of community mental health.

Some of Ben's favorite leisure activities and interests included cooking, grilling steaks and fish, backyard flower gardening from seed to flowers, retreating to his favorite chair or back porch at the end of the work day, corresponding with his children and grandchildren and traveling. Ben's grandchildren will treasure the memories of playing one-card poker (It seemed, "Grandpa always won!") fishing and eating cheese and crackers with him.

Ben was a devout family man and will be dearly missed by his family and friends who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy (Fraser) Miller of Mason City; his sons, William K. (Lois) Miller of Sharon, Mass., and Robert C. (Mary) Miller of Mason City; his daughter, Barbara (Bill) Cobb of Ames; his two sisters, Ruth Thornton and Lois Travis, both of Storm Lake; his seven grandchildren: Rebecca (Jeff) Karen, Joseph Miller, Saul Miller, Kary Miller, Cindi Miller, Ty Cobb and Bree Cobb; and one great-grandson, Evan Karen. He will also be a cherished memory to many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Ben in death were his parents, William and Mary Miller; one brother, Richard Miller; his sister-in-law, Louise Miller; and two brothers-in-law, Phil Thornton and Bob Travis.
Published in the Globe Gazette from 3/9/2005 - 3/11/2005.