MILLER, Keith

Keith Thomas Miller

1944 – 2022

Keith Thomas Miller, long-time resident of Coaldale, beloved husband to the late Marlene Miller, passed away knowing how much he was loved on Sunday, March 13, 2022 a week after his 78th birthday at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.

Keith will be lovingly remembered and always cherished by his sons Perry (Karol), Garry (Terri Ann), Roland (Jackie); daughter Candace (Rob) Van Diemen; daughter-in-law Marie Miller and step-daughter Caryn. Keith thought the world of his 15 grandchildren, his 15 great-grandchildren, the many others who he thought of as grandchildren and of course, his beloved grand-dogs and grand-cats.

He will also be greatly missed by his sister Lois Annas; brothers Neale (Jeannie), John Miller; sister-in-laws Dorothy (Evie) Miller, Joy Taylor; brother-in-laws Bryan Maciborsky, Clayton (Kathy) Kravik as well as his nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Keith.

Keith was born March 6, 1944 in Hanna, Alberta to parents Lawrence and Audrey Miller. His younger years were mostly spent in Hanna and Kindersley, Saskatchewan growing up as a true cowboy. He had a million stories of the shenanigans he got up to with his siblings on the farm, his love of riding their horses, tender moments with his mom, learning how to be a man from his dad, the 9-mile walks to school uphill both ways in a snowstorm and doing chores with his ever-faithful dog Rex by his side.

He moved around a lot to wherever there was work. He developed quite the resume by getting all sorts of random jobs in every field from farm work to seismic crew to bartender. He could do any job well and was up for the challenge of something new even if he didn’t have any experience and had to fib a bit about his credentials to get the job. Eventually he found work in Calgary that led to him meeting the love of his life Marlene.

He knew he loved her from the moment he met her. He always had his guitar slung over his shoulder everywhere he went, looking for a chance to play it and sing. Marlene had the same passion for country music which made them the perfect duet. In the years to come they played and sang for friends and family; even at weddings.

They were married on May 17, 1969 and spent the next number of years in Calgary, Hanna, Paradise Valley, Czar and Skiff just to name a few. He continued to develop his resume by working at a sulfate plant, going back to school to get his high school diploma, attending auctioneer school in Olds and opening Miller Bros. Roofing with his brother John in Czar among other jobs all while raising their children Perry, Garry, Roland, Lorne and Candace, making time for camping trips, fishing with the boys and hunting.

Afterwards, he landed a job at United Grain Growers in Paradise Valley and then at the Alberta Wheat Pool in Skiff, which eventually led to his long-time career as grain elevator manager of Parrish & Heimbecker in Coaldale starting in 1979 where he became quick friends with the farmers in the community and joined them for morning coffee every day before work. Some of these friendships led to his immense love for the game of golf. If he wasn’t playing golf, he was watching it on tv, cheering on his favorite players. He gathered up a team of buddies that played in league at the Indian Hill golf course for years to come. He also enjoyed his curling league and never missed a chance to play.

Keith and Marlene loved to travel. They enjoyed going on cruises, summer vacations to Osoyoos to pick peaches and numerous road trips to Disneyland and for years they took annual trips to Las Vegas to visit his brother Neale and his wife Jeannie for endless days of golf, casino fun and great conversation.

After retirement and a conversation with his long-time friend Rene McQueen, through the elevator, he took a seasonal job with McQueen Hail Agencies adjusting crops for hail damage which he loved. He thoroughly enjoyed his time on the road working with his fellow adjustors who became great friends.

Keith was the most loving grandpa “Papa” to his grandchildren. They meant the absolute world to him and he and grandma would take every opportunity to brag to others about them. Sleepovers at Papa and Grandmas were a regular occurrence with cuddles on the couch, a shopping trip to Walmart and a trip or 2 to McDonalds for a diet coke and a treat. His love for them was immeasurable and so was theirs for him.

Keith used his quick-witted comebacks and hilarious sense of humor to engage with everyone. Dad found humor in everything and his smile and laugh were infectious. The world will be a much duller place without you.

Keith and Marlene suffered a brutal loss of their son Lorne on May 11, 2014 from which their hearts never fully recovered. From that time, both of their health started to decline. After a few hospitalizations, they moved to Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale where they quickly became favorites of the care staff. They loved the nurses and health care aides there like family. Marlene passed away on May 17, 2019 on the day of their 50th wedding anniversary, leaving Keith heartbroken. He missed her more than words could say and said he couldn’t wait to pick up a guitar with her again, and play their songs till eternity.

Besides his loving wife Marlene, Keith was pre-deceased by his parents Lawrence and Audrey Miller; father and mother-in-law Edwin and Marion Kravik; son Lorne Miller; grandson Stephen Miller; brothers Dwight and Ross Miller; brother-in-law Nelson Annas; sister-in-law Beverly Maciborsky and brother and sister-in-laws Stan and Melody Kravik.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge with Reverend Glenda Wert officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Coaldale Community Cemetery. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream by going to www.mbfunerals.com and scrolling to the bottom of Keith’s obituary for the livestream link.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.