Marvin Gene Miller

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Marvin Gene Miller was born on April 2, 1950, the second child to Gene L. and Arlene Hunt Miller in Rigby, Idaho.  Being raised on a farm near Menan, Idaho, Marv's curiosity was kindled and nurtured.  While working alongside his parents and 9 siblings on the farm, he cultivated his interests in hunting, fishing, exploration of nature, horses, gardening and drawing. These are pastimes he would love throughout his life. He attended Rigby High School and then Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Norway Oslo Mission.

After returning from his mission, he returned to Ricks for one more year before moving to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah to finish his degree in Microbiology and Chemistry.  During that year he met the love of his life, Lynette Ricks.  They were married on May 17, 1974 in the Idaho Falls Temple after graduating from Brigham Young University.  Marv completed a year-long internship at the LDS Hospital (later changed to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) in Idaho Falls, at the end of which he was hired full-time. He would continue to work in the lab for the next 42 years until his retirement in 2016.  During these years he worked numerous other jobs on the side, including in doctors’ offices in Rigby, teaching art at Ririe High School for 3 years, and as a part-time illustrator.

Marv’s life’s work will not be found in what jobs he held, but by the things that brought him the greatest joy and satisfaction. He loved his small hobby farm where he and Lynette raised their nine children.  There he was able to share with his growing family his love of nature, animals and the outdoors.  He taught his children to work to support themselves, but to also pursue their interests and passions.  He was excited to learn new things. Even more, he loved to teach and share what he had learned, especially with his children and grandchildren. His incurable curiosity drove him to explore a myriad of interests and hobbies.  Some of his favorites included: breaking and raising horses, gardening, horticulture, grafting trees, rock hounding, bow and arrow making, rock painting, oil painting, woodworking, saddle making, stargazing, floating Idaho’s rivers and streams, BYU football and basketball, reading books, and enjoying old country and folk music.

After his retirement, he and Lynette served a mission in the Norway Oslo Mission.  They served for 18 months in the city of Tromsø, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle.  He loved the people of Norway and the beauty of Norway, as evidenced by his enthusiasm when speaking of them and his desire to show everyone that came to visit what gems Norway held for them.  A few months after returning home, Marvin was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.

During his cancer treatments he was able to publish two books; “The Evolving Angler” and “The Worry Wart’s Tale.”  Marv’s art reflects an imagination that knew no bounds.  His quirky, unusual, but lovable, characters highlight the humor that Marv saw in life and the world around him. He saw value in differences and comfort in knowing that friends could be found just about anywhere.

Marv leaves behind a legacy of love and charity for those who were blessed to know him.  He spent his entire life in service of, and for the benefit of, his family, friends, church and community members.  He valued people over things and constantly sacrificed selflessly and quietly to bless whomever he could when he felt someone was in need.

After his courageous battle with cancer, Marv returned to his Heavenly Father on December 23rd, 2021, at the age of 71.  No doubt he is still engaged in service and blessing others with all the energy of his soul.   He was preceded in death by his mother and father.  He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynette, his 9 children: Justin (Jolynn) Miller of Ririe, ID; Wade (Amy) Miller of Hyrum, UT; Greg (Stacey) Miller of Parma, ID; James (Leslie) Miller of Tremonton, UT; Sharee (Brian) Jeffs of South Jordan, UT; Russell Miller of Logan, UT; Randall Miller of Ogden, UT; Rachelle (Scott) Haymore of Soda Springs, ID; and Kelsi (Don) Fryberger of Rigby, ID.;  sisters, Jalene (Keith) Shuldberg of Terreton, ID, Marcene (Danny) Ferguson of Ririe, ID, Denece (Kerry) Hunter of Caldwell, ID, Kristine (Mike) Suma of Menan, ID; brothers, Ronald (Marie) Miller of Pocatello, ID, Gary (Julie) Miller of Firth, ID; Drew (Karen) Miller of Rigby, ID, Blaine E. (Carolanne) Miller of Eden, ID, and Karl E. (Dyla) Miller of Boise, ID. He is also survived by 35 much-loved grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Ririe Stake Center.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 Wednesday, December 29, 2021 and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Thursday, prior to services; both at the church.  Interment will be in the Ririe-Shelton Cemetery.  Services are under the care of Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com