Tribute

 On Friday, February 17, 2023, Rudolf (Rudy) Miller of Oliver, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Saviour.  He was 94 years old.

He is survived by his dear wife Doreen, daughter Darlene Hillson (David), son Larry Miller (Delia), daughter Mary Lynn McKay (Roy), son Gary Miller (Karen), son Wayne Miller (Rita), 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, brother Jack Miller and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents Rudolf and Dorothea (Mann) Miller, two granddaughters Donna-Jean Miller and Dayna Hillson, one grandson Justin Hillson, six sisters Katherine, Mary, Sophie, Elsie, Dorothy, Edith and one brother Eddie.

Rudy was born in Eatonia, SK, the eighth child in a family of nine. His father was a blacksmith and in 1942 the family decided to move to Oliver, BC.  They bought a 1½ acre lot with a small house on Fairview Rd.  Rudy entered Grade 9 and worked in the orchards, pruning, thinning and picking fruit. He made 35 cents an hour. On March 15, 1946, his graduation year, he was in a bad car accident with Ernie Kilback and Alec Bauder. His head went through the wind-shield and he got 36 stitches.  After graduation he went to work in the Oliver Hardware for 5 years.  In May 1951 he married Joyce Bredy (who was also from Eatonia). Together they had 5 children, Darlene, Larry, Mary Lynn, Gary and Wayne.

In 1951 they moved to Osoyoos, where he worked for Ernie Gaertner in the Marshall Wells store for 12 years.  Then in 1963 he decided to go into business for himself. He bought a building on Main Street in the fall of 1963 and in January he opened his own store, selling furniture, appliances, paint and flooring. Customers were loyal and supported the business so well that in 1965 he added onto the store and then in 1968 he bought the building next and connected the two buildings.

He served on the town council, was a director at the Osoyoos Credit Union and was very active in his church, Grace Lutheran, holding various positions, including being on the building committee for the current church which was dedicated in 1982.

Over the years he built many houses, starting with a small 8 x 16 ft. cabin. They lived in that with 2 children for a couple of years. Then they moved into a small duplex while he built the house on the lake. That was in 1955 and the lakeshore property cost $1,500. They lived there until 1962 when they swapped the house for a house and 10 acre orchard on 107^th Ave. In 1964 while getting his business started, he built a house on highway 97, across the road from the present Baptist church. The last houses he built were in 1982. He sold one, partially completed, and moved into the other.

In 1994, Rudy retired, selling the business to Darlene and Larry, although he was always there to offer assistance and advice.  In 1999, he sold his house in Osoyoos and moved to Oliver. This is where he met Doreen and they married in 2005.

Rudy had many great vacations. His favourite was the yearly trip to Kona, Hawaii, to visit his sister Edith and her husband Gerry.  He also traveled to Mexico and went across Canada in 1997.
But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren. He was always there for them, offering love and support and encouragement. He will be greatly missed.

The family requests no flowers. Instead, donations to Canadian Lutheran World Relief for earthquake relief for Turkey and Syria and war relief for victims in Ukraine would be appreciated.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 6 Finch Crescent, Osoyoos, B.C. Cremation preceded the service and the urn interment will be in the Oliver Cemetery.  A luncheon will be service in the church hall after the committal.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com