Lawrence "Bud" Miller
January 10, 1939 — October 12, 2023
My Grandpa, Bud Miller was born on January 10th, 1939. One of the last years of the Great Depression. His nationalities are English and Native American. He grew up in Verdigre, Nebraska consisting of only 556 people in 1940 with his Mom, Velma (Barton), Dad, Claude, and 2 brothers, Jack and Dennis. As my grandpa grew older around the age of 2, his mother called him “Bug.” Now, Bud is not my grandpa's real name. His real name is Lawrence Miller, but wanted to be called “Bud” because it was similar to his childhood nickname “Bug.” This “nickname” has stuck around because everyone I know calls him “Bud.”
My grandpa also grew up remembering always being on the farm. He went to school K-12 in a classroom full of all students and a teacher who was not only teaching him but teaching a senior at the same time. His favorite part about school was hanging out with his friends. While he was growing up, he didn't have access to lots of things. For example, he didn't have, electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, or a bathroom. Growing up as a kid, he only had 3 jobs, being a farmer, being a waiter, and working in a creamery. He also took karate lessons and earned a red belt. Growing up he remembers World War II , the Korean War, and Vietnam.
When my grandpa graduated, he did not plan on going to college and wanted to join the military. When he went to join, they told him he couldn't go because he had a problem with his ear. Later, he found out that it was an ear infection. After being told he could not join the military, my grandpa started taking flying lessons and began flying planes.
My grandpa married Helen Volquardsen in April of 1958. Together, they had 4 children, Cindy, Dale, Cheryl and Vickie. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska and he began plumbing. Eventually, he would work with his brothers, Dennis and Jack, and created Miller Brothers Plumbing. Helen and my grandpa would later divorce.
In 1979, he met my grandma at an outing on the Missouri River. An old friend invited my grandma, and my grandpa happened to be there. One time he took her on a plane ride and took her to a nice restaurant, which my grandparents now consider one of their best and favorite dates.
My grandpa was also a self-taught plumber. He was a master plumber and now, is retired. At the time, there were not a lot of jobs available, so my grandma and he decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. My grandpa moved around a lot for work. He went to California, Nevada, Texas, and Iowa. Then on February 12th, 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada, my grandparents got married. My grandma had two children, Randi and Colby who were adopted by my grandpa later in 1983. A few years later in 1985, he was in the movie Rocky lV as an extra in the crowd watching the fight. Together, they had one child, Anna in 1987. Three years later in 1990, they moved back to where my grandma considered home, Harlan, Iowa. Since then my grandpa has lived in Harlan working as a plumber until retirement.
As you can see my grandpa has lived a pretty cool life. Working as a plumber, moving all over the country, and being a part of a movie! As I interviewed my grandpa I learned many things I didn't know until now. All these things I have learned I will always cherish forever and ever.
Written by Ari Daniels in 6th grade after interviewing her Poppa
My grandpa’s greatest joy in his life was family. He loved attending the kids' activities and family dinners. Nothing would make him smile more than his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Velma (Barton) Miller. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kristine; his children: Cindy Miller-Flint of Omaha, Nebraska, Dale (Kim) Miller of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Cheryl Miller of Glenwood, Iowa, Vickie (John) Miller of Bennington, Nebraska, Randi (Frank) Daniels of Harlan, Iowa, Colby (Jen Hamos-Miller) Miller of Walford, Iowa, Anna (Brent) Pauley of Avoca, Iowa, 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; siblings Jack (Sandy) Miller, Dennis (Kathy) Miller both of Omaha, Nebraska; and many other family and friends.
My grandpa also grew up remembering always being on the farm. He went to school K-12 in a classroom full of all students and a teacher who was not only teaching him but teaching a senior at the same time. His favorite part about school was hanging out with his friends. While he was growing up, he didn't have access to lots of things. For example, he didn't have, electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, or a bathroom. Growing up as a kid, he only had 3 jobs, being a farmer, being a waiter, and working in a creamery. He also took karate lessons and earned a red belt. Growing up he remembers World War II , the Korean War, and Vietnam.
When my grandpa graduated, he did not plan on going to college and wanted to join the military. When he went to join, they told him he couldn't go because he had a problem with his ear. Later, he found out that it was an ear infection. After being told he could not join the military, my grandpa started taking flying lessons and began flying planes.
My grandpa married Helen Volquardsen in April of 1958. Together, they had 4 children, Cindy, Dale, Cheryl and Vickie. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska and he began plumbing. Eventually, he would work with his brothers, Dennis and Jack, and created Miller Brothers Plumbing. Helen and my grandpa would later divorce.
In 1979, he met my grandma at an outing on the Missouri River. An old friend invited my grandma, and my grandpa happened to be there. One time he took her on a plane ride and took her to a nice restaurant, which my grandparents now consider one of their best and favorite dates.
My grandpa was also a self-taught plumber. He was a master plumber and now, is retired. At the time, there were not a lot of jobs available, so my grandma and he decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. My grandpa moved around a lot for work. He went to California, Nevada, Texas, and Iowa. Then on February 12th, 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada, my grandparents got married. My grandma had two children, Randi and Colby who were adopted by my grandpa later in 1983. A few years later in 1985, he was in the movie Rocky lV as an extra in the crowd watching the fight. Together, they had one child, Anna in 1987. Three years later in 1990, they moved back to where my grandma considered home, Harlan, Iowa. Since then my grandpa has lived in Harlan working as a plumber until retirement.
As you can see my grandpa has lived a pretty cool life. Working as a plumber, moving all over the country, and being a part of a movie! As I interviewed my grandpa I learned many things I didn't know until now. All these things I have learned I will always cherish forever and ever.
Written by Ari Daniels in 6th grade after interviewing her Poppa
My grandpa’s greatest joy in his life was family. He loved attending the kids' activities and family dinners. Nothing would make him smile more than his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Velma (Barton) Miller. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kristine; his children: Cindy Miller-Flint of Omaha, Nebraska, Dale (Kim) Miller of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Cheryl Miller of Glenwood, Iowa, Vickie (John) Miller of Bennington, Nebraska, Randi (Frank) Daniels of Harlan, Iowa, Colby (Jen Hamos-Miller) Miller of Walford, Iowa, Anna (Brent) Pauley of Avoca, Iowa, 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; siblings Jack (Sandy) Miller, Dennis (Kathy) Miller both of Omaha, Nebraska; and many other family and friends.
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