Carlton E. Miller, 87

Carlton E. Miller, age 87, of New Prague, died on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Carl was born on September 15, 1932 in rural Montgomery on the family farm to William H. and Mary (Holicky) Miller.  He attended District 123 country school and graduated from Montgomery High School, where he was an avid football player.  His greatest and proudest achievement, however, was with FFA, where he received both American and National awards.  This cemented his lifelong love of farming, the career that he successfully enjoyed the rest of his life being a dairy farmer until 1994 and continued crop farming until 2003.  Carl served in the US Army during the Korean War and after his years of service, he married the love of his life, Mary Jane Smisek on May 5, 1959 in Lonsdale at Immaculate Conception Church.  In addition to farming, Carl was a dealer for Pioneer Seed Corn from 1980 – 2000.  He was awarded the Soil Conservation Award in 1965.  He was a member of the Montgomery American Legion.   He loved everything to do with farming, from weather to gardening to simply “putzing around on the farm”.  Carl was a gentle, kind man and knew Mary Jane’s love of flowers and made sure he picked and presented her with a bouquet of wild flowers every spring.  He loved John Wayne movies and enjoyed many fishing trips with friends. He and Mary Jane wintered in Arizona for 20 years and relished the many friends made there.

 Carl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jane Miller of New Prague; children, Kim (Gary) Studnicka of New Prague, Father Michael Miller of New Prague, Kayleen Kleven (Keith Stromberg) of Cambridge; grandchildren, Robert Studnicka and Gregory Studnicka of New Prague, Kora (Lance) Rettke of East Chain, Michael Kleven (Melissa Hollom) of Fairmont; great-grandchildren, Leah, Briley, Easton and Kate Rettke all of East Chain; siblings, Rose Perteet of Albert Lea, Gloria Trcka of New Prague and Robert (Barb) Miller of Montgomery; sister-in-law, Marilyn Miller of Montgomery; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alfred “Butch” (Diane) Smisek of Savage; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William A. and Eldred Miller.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Michael Miller officiating.  Visitation will take place on Sunday from 3-7 PM and Monday morning from 7:30 – 10:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home.  Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Montgomery Veterans Honor Guard.  Lunch will follow at the KC Hall.  bruzekfuneralhome.com