LeRoy Kenneth Miller

LeRoy Miller, 85, resident of Pierz, passed away on October 1st, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, October 9th, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz with Father Kenneth Popp officiating. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9th, from 10:00 – 11:20 a.m. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz. The burial will be held in Akeley Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the “Pierz HS Letter Club” supporting activities in memory of LeRoy K. Miller.

LeRoy Kenneth Miller was born on March 28th, 1940, in Akeley, Minnesota to the late Marie (Kramer) and Delbert “Rusty” Miller. LeRoy attended Akeley High School and graduated in 1958 before joining the US Army. He later left the service to attend Bemidji State College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. He pursued his education further and obtained his master’s degree from the Ohio University College of Engineering. LeRoy was united in marriage to Marilyn Ann Shay on September 2nd, 1961, in St. John’s Catholic Church in Akeley.

From 1962 to 1967 he taught Industrial Arts in Elyria, Ohio and Richfield, Minnesota. Starting in 1967 LeRoy served as the principal of Medford High School. In 1978, LeRoy joined the Healy High School Staff as a principal and athletic director of the Pierz School District until his retirement in 1998. In 2001 he and Marilyn moved to their lake home in Akeley.

LeRoy was an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Medford, Minnesota and the Lions Club in Pierz and Akeley, Minnesota. He spent his retirement woodworking, hunting, and staying active in his community. He took pride in serving on the Akeley Township Board and devoted himself to the caring of his beloved wife Marilyn of 64 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marilyn Miller of Pierz; children, Pamela (Scott) Weber of Sartell, and James (Tonya) Miller of Sartell; brother-in-law, David (Jill) Shay of Akeley; sister-in-law, Louise (Ed) Shay of Akeley; and grandchildren, Tianna, TJ, Austin, and Alana.

LeRoy is preceded in death by his parents; sister JoAnn (Gary) Cirks; son-in-law Scott (Pam) Raden; and brothers-in-law, Edward Shay, and Thomas Shay.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of LeRoy.