Arden Miller
Arden “Ardie” William Miller, the son of Orville “Ham” and Velma (Kane) Miller was born on February 13, 1953, in Rugby, North Dakota. He died at the age of 73 years on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at his home under the care of his family.
Ardie was raised in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School, class of 1971. In 1971, he enlisted in the U.S. National Guard. Due to a knee injury, he was honorably discharged in 1972. While in high school, he began working with his dad at Miller Truck Line and continued for a few years. On June 21, 1975, he was united in marriage to Deb Bartsch at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. The couple remained lifelong residents of Rugby, where they made their home and raised their three boys, Jeremy, Tom, and Randy. While his boys were growing up, it was important to him to make every effort to be at their sporting or school events. He also helped build the Rugby baseball field. Ardie continued his trucking career working for Lake Region Trucking for several years and for Feekes Trucking, where he hauled cattle. His dad purchased a semi and trailer, and Arden hauled loads out to the West Coast with a return load to Lake Superior/Duluth area for many years. In 1991, Ardie decided it was time to buy his own truck, starting his own business, Arden Miller Transport. He hauled gas and fuel for Harper Oil, Cenex (Farmer’s Union) of both Towner and Rugby, and for the York Farmer’s Union. When he was 57 years old, he retired from trucking to enjoy life, he said, and sold both semis. Although he was done trucking, Ardie would never stop working. He helped his friend Kevin Borgen on the farm. He liked to say he was a “Farm Assist”. He also kept his shop to work on hobby projects, like painting vehicles, golf carts, etc.
Ardie was a hard worker, who liked to stay busy with various hobbies. He and Deb had A & D Karaoke for many years. They entertained weddings, dances, family gatherings, or weekend evenings at local bars. He was a member of Rugby’s car club and the Clarence Larson American Legion. He loved car racing and enjoyed a good Harley ride, repairing cars and golf carts and was a detailing expert. He was meticulous with his work, down to the yard landscaping or the snow removal from his and his neighbors’ driveways. He enjoyed his quiet time to reflect, sitting on the deck at the lake or at home, yet was always up for a good conversation. Ardie was a man who would give the shirt of his back, help anyone and expect nothing in return. He loved his family and friends, lived a good, full life and will be missed by all who knew him.
Ardie is survived by his wife, Deb of Rugby; sons, Jeremy of Rugby, Tom (Maria) of Chandler, Arizona and Randy of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Jaxon and Zoey; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth Bartsch of Pleasant Hill, CA, Duane (Cindy) Bartsch of Fergus Falls, MN, Carol (Virgil) Haegle of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Albert (Diane) Bartsch of McMinnville, OR, Linda Bartsch of West Fargo, Becky Bartsch of Rugby, Barb (Steve) Fritel of Willow City; Lynda (Peter) Maus of Northfield, MN, Diane Bartsch of Maricopa, AZ, Kim (Leslie) Lang of Stanley; several nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Rita Graber, Duane “Dewey” Miller and Elaine Lang; in-laws, Jacqueline (Richard) Senger, Donald Bartsch and Timothy Bartsch Sr. and Deb’s parents, Albert and Barbara (Tuchscherer) Bartsch.
A Celebration of Ardie’s Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 18 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with burial in the Little Flower Cemetery and the lunch and gathering will be held at Dakota Farms in Rugby.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, May 16, 2026.