Rev. Loran Donald J. Miller
February 05, 2015
Obituary
Miller, Rev. Loran Donald J.
MADISON – Capuchin Friar Loran Miller, age 77, passed away on Feb. 5 2015, in Waunakee. Loran was born in 1937 and named Donald Joseph, the first born of Albert Miller and Grace Kreul. He was raised in Madison, and attended Catholic schools, graduating from St. Bernard. Loran attended St. Lawrence Seminary from 1951-1955, entered the Capuchin novitiate, and professed his first vows in 1956. He continued his studies at St. Felix Friary in Huntington, Ind., and at St. Anthony Friary in Marathon, Wis. Loran was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. His first assignment was in Nicaragua where he ministered for 12 years. After returning from the missions, Loran served at St. Joseph Parish in Saginaw, Mich. for three years. The following 15 years were in retreat ministry, followed by several years at St. Fidelis Friary in Appleton, Wis. In 2002, Loran moved to Madison, where he continued his interest in Spanish ministry and the shipping of materials to the Nicaraguan missions. Other hobbies kept him busy in his free time. Loran is survived by his mother, Grace Miller of Waunakee, Wis.; five sisters, Jacqueline (Tom) McConley of Madison, Mary JoAnn (Tom) Kassabaum of Weeki Wachee, Fla., Virginia (Ted) Trulson of Fountain Hills, Ariz., Dawn (Fran) Schwartz of Lodi, and Diane (Shirley Craanen) Miller of Lodi; and two brothers, Robert (the late Georgian) Miller of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Patrick (Sandra) Miller of Lodi; a special friend, Sr. Janice Funk; many relatives and friends; plus his many Capuchin brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Capuchin Missions in memory of Father Loran Miller. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Tue Feb 10, 2015 @ 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Mass of Christian Burial
Tue Feb 10, 2015 @ 11:30 AM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Rev. Loran have been shared yet.
Memories
KD
Karen L. Duffey
Other •
I was saddened to hear that Father Loran passed away. My heartfelt sympathy to the family. God Bless Father Loran and the family.
PR
Phyllis Riordan
Other •
Many fond memories of Fr. Loran make me smile:
If you needed something, anything, repaired, Fr. Loran was able to improvise a 'fix it'.
The huge, annual garage sales for the missions brought friends, neighbors and family together. We had to continually stop Fr. Loran from giving things away. "If you want it, take it" Fr Loran would say. "Hey, he didn't pay for it" was our comment to which he simply shrugged his shoulders. His mantra was, "Beer is good, God is great, people are crazy". With this attitude, he was NOT allowed many negotiations with customers. "It's for the missions!" we would say as we rattled the silver coins in the empty ice cream pail.
During his last year, he managed to smile -- no, laugh -- despite continual excruciating pain. He always asked about each person's life and family moving the attention away from himself.
Peace Loran. This neighbor will miss you.
Love and prayers,
Phyllis Riordan
MM
Maritza Moroney
Other •
I was very sad to hear the news of Fr. Loran's passing, please accept my deepest condolences. He was a wonderful person with a great attitude who always spoke what he felt ! I used to drive my dad around Christmas time to drop off some Nacatamales from Nicaragua and he officiated quite a few masses of our dearly departed and also prayed over my daughters Quinceañera. The work that he and many others did in Nicaragua will never be forgotten by those of us who knew him. RIP Father.
TP
Todd and Paula
Other •
Father Loran......He was a friend when I didn't have a friend in the world. He stood beside me and brought me to a safe place he was the light of Christ when I was in my darkest hours. We spent so many hours hauling and acquiring many needed items for Nicaragua. We would sell anything we couldn't send and if we couldn't sell it he would make it into something! The last load we worked on together (we knew it was our last) was a queen bed frame and mattress which he would use it to acquire a twin bed from his dear neighbor and friend Phyllis for his last months at San Damiano.
Even in his dying he showed me how I want to live! I pray that if the day comes and I face physical suffering I will endure it with the same GRACE and JOY he did!
We send our deepest condolences to his family who walked with him all his days. Hang on to the God he served so graciously and know we are praying for you.