Brian J. Miller

KALONA ? Brian James Miller, 51, of Kalona, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at his home.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Kalona Mennonite Church with the Rev. Doug Cue and the Rev. Gerry Kahler officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at the church, with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Hardy Community Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Superior Country Club. All are welcome to attend and celebrate his life. Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona is handling arrangements.

Mr. Miller was born Aug. 22, 1965, in Kearney, Nebraska, the son of Jim and Donna (Edwards) Miller. He married Raelyn Robb on July 12, 1991.

He graduated from Superior High School in 1984 and then graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with a degree in agribusiness in 1989. He was a member of the Sharon Center United Methodist Church. He was an accomplished multi-sport athlete growing up, to include two high school state championships in shot put and as the starting catcher who hit a homerun in the championship game for the Legion baseball team. One of his ?biggest? accomplishments in high school was defeating an opponent at the state wrestling championships who outweighed him by 150 pounds. His athletic career culminated in playing football alongside his brother Kevin for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers from 1984 to 1989. This passion transferred into his post-college life, as he assisted with coaching football both at Superior High School in Nebraska, and at Mid-Prairie High School in Iowa. Professionally he excelled at any task that required people skills. Whether it was an ag chemical salesman or an investment representative for Edward Jones Inc., he had a tremendous ability to relate with any and all with whom he came in contact. Nevertheless, through all of this, he was defined by one thing more than anything else: family. He dedicated his life to his family and their pursuits. He was a dedicated husband and father who was never too big to do the laundry or sit up front at an elementary music concert. Whether it was changing allegiances from the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the Iowa Hawkeyes or driving to St. Louis for a national gymnastics competition, he loved and supported each member of his family.

Surviving are his parents, Jim and Donna Miller of Superior, Nebraska; his wife, Raelyn (Robb) Miller of Kalona; two sons, Tanner, and Reid Miller; two daughters, Hannah, and Ciarra Miller; two brothers, Kevin Miller and wife Juliane of Superior, Nebraska, and Andrew Miller and wife Kristin of Hardy, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.