Ralph Andrew Miller was born on the family homestead on October 21, 1923; he joined his parents,  Mason Merritt and Carrie Moore Miller, and a brother, Mason. He always enjoyed working and, even as  a young boy, helped bring milk, eggs, and firewood to the house in his little wagon.

Ralph bought the family homestead and continued to ranch, while having other jobs. Ralph worked for  several ranchers in his early years. The two he talked about the most were the Kane ranch in Wyoming  where Joe's wife, Marie, taught him to dance and the Henderson ranch southeast of Edgemont.

He married Bernice Fleming on June 3, 1951; they remained in Edgemont their entire married life. Four  children were born to them. They have nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one more coming before Christmas.

He enjoyed working for Oliver (Scoop) Coon operating heavy equipment. Because this dirt work kept  him away from home too much, he went to work managing a gas station. Later he worked for the local  bakery. When this business closed, Ralph went to work for Swanders (later Metz) Baking Company. He  delivered bread in Hot Springs, Edgemont, and Igloo while the Army base was open. After an early  retirement from Metz, he worked for Nelson's Oil and Gas. His final paid job was working for Silver King  Mines on the cleanup of uranium tailings.

Although officially retired, he never really stopped working and was rarely idle. Ralph loved restoring  furniture and many people are lucky to have one of his pieces to enjoy. The worse shape the piece was  in the more he enjoyed the challenge. When this work became too much for him, he found enjoyment  in crafting smaller art pieces with mosaic tiles, seashells, paint and wooden models.

Ralph and Bernice both enjoyed music and dancing. They danced together for many years, meeting  wonderful people. After Bernice's long illness and passing, Ralph's social activities usually involved  music. He danced whenever he could for exercise, balance, and meeting new friends.

Ralph cared for Bernice at home until she passed, and we're grateful he was able to remain at home too;  just the way he wanted it to be.

The world changed a lot in his 96 years of life, from going to school in a horse-drawn wagon to video  phone calls from a grandchild across the world. He loved his Facetime chats with grandkids and great  grandkids.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, his parents, six half-sisters, his brother and sister in-law, Mason and Helen Miller, a grandson, Morgan Garrett, son-in-law, David Mullaney and ex daughter-in-law, Margie Allen Miller.

Survivors include children: Mary Kay (Mike) Thompson, Hot Springs, Rod Miller, Sheridan, WY, Carol  Percival (Mark Dorr), Gillette, WY, Nancy Mullaney, Fruitdale, SD; grandchildren: Stacey Walters, Tara  Storm, Janessa Winter, Megan Thompson, Erin Carter, Ross Miller, Lana Percival, and Drew Percival; step-grandchildren: John Cooper and Leah Miller Puschner; niece and nephew: Marie (Keith) Andersen  and Jim (Barb) Miller, both from Edgemont.

A public visitation time will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. on Wednesday, September 16 at St. James Catholic  Church in Edgemont, SD. Please practice social distancing guidelines, wear a mask and please do not hug or shake hands with other attendees and remain at least six feet from others.

A private Christian Funeral Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm following the visitation. The Christian Funeral Mass will  be held in the same place on Thursday, September 17 at 10:00 am. Because of COVID 19 restrictions, the services will be for family only. Please practice social distancing guidelines, please do not hug or shake hands with other attendees and remain at least six feet from others.

We will host a celebration of Ralph's life next spring, sometime between calving and branding and before its time to hay. Everyone will be welcome to come, share memories, tell stories and visit with friends. There will be music. He would like that.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Ralph's name.