Frank Miller

Frank Miller, formerly of Grand Forks, ND, died peacefully in Minneapolis, MN, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was 91 years old.

Frank Miller was born the youngest of 8 children on February 7, 1935, in New Leipzig, ND, to Joseph and Susan (Phillips) Miller. The family moved to Grand Forks where Frank attended St. Michael’s grade school and Grand Forks Central. In high school, he earned multiple letters in football and basketball and played on the 1952 State Championship basketball team.

Frank attended the University of North Dakota, where he pursued a degree in Physical Education and played football. After graduating from UND, Frank moved to Las Vegas, NV, where he became head basketball coach at Bishop Gorman High School. During his time at Gorman, the Gales won two Class A State Championships. In 1964 Frank returned to the University of North Dakota to pursue a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. During this time, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the UND basketball team under Bill Fitch. After receiving his masters, Frank moved to Minot, ND, to teach and coach basketball at Minot Ryan, where he took Ryan to the State Tournament.

In 1968 he and his family returned to Grand Forks when he joined the Grand Forks Public School system as a Counselor at Red River High School. Frank eventually became the Director of Counseling for Grand Forks Public Schools. He was a natural mentor, and his greatest professional achievement was felt when he watched the students he supported succeed in school and life. His excellence in counseling was recognized in 1988 when Frank won the Glen Dolan Award for outstanding leadership and the expansion of counseling services. Frank retired as Director of Special Services in 1993. A committed member of his community, Frank served on the Grand Forks City Council from 1972 to 1976.

Frank married the former Phyllis Coffey of Minto, ND, in 1962. They made Grand Forks their home for 56 years where they raised two children. Along with Phyllis, he was a faithful member of Holy Family Church. He had a strong bond with the church and his faith community. Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed spending time with friends playing fast pitch softball, snowmobiling, golfing, biking, and attending UND sporting events. After retirement, Frank and Phyllis spent their winters in Fort Myers Beach, FL, where they made new and lifelong friends. Throughout life, Frank remained a counselor and coach at heart. He helped anyone and everyone who had a problem, no matter who they were or what they needed, and he loved doing it. He celebrated the victories of those around him. If you met Frank, you met a friend.

Above all things, Frank loved his family. Frank’s wife Phyllis remains to mourn the loss of this warm and loving man, along with his sons Chuck (Linda Banks) of Minneapolis, Joe (Julie) of Maple Grove, MN and grandchildren Jake, Maggie, Jack, and Alex, and sister-in-law Gerrie Miller. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Margaret, her husband John Baumgartner; Don and his wife Gloria; Irene and her husband Odo Trudel; Roy G. (Bill) and his wife Dorothy; Bernice and her husband Irish Lannon; Jim and his wife Marilyn, and brother Bernard (Benny).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank Miller’s name to Holy Family Church or to a charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass.