Don Miller
Don Miller, 82, longtime trapper and leader for the Nebraska Fur Harvesters, passed away on June 24 in Loup City Nebraska. (1941-2024)
Don served many years as a leader in the Nebraska Fur Harvesters, and was truly a Founding Father. For decades, he arranged a fur coat that was presented to the Miss Nebraska representative. That kind of task required a great deal of behind-the-scenes work; but one that had a large public relations impact for trappers. (We used to tease Don about how he managed to “suffer through” his time getting to know all the Miss Nebraska queen candidates…his grin was generally his only reply.) Later he served as President for many years, and his trapping demonstrations and knowledge were shared in innumerable ways.
He was pre-deceased by his wife Jan, whose face was a familiar one at NFH events. All agreed that Don was extremely good natured; and that he was a very good trapper. He was adamant about not beginning his trapping until furs were fully prime. Joe Jack, another leader in the NFH and also a fur buyer, noted that Don’s catches were substantial, and every fur was a quality item with a near-perfect fur prep. Joe said that Don brought him over one hundred beaver one season.
If you were in a big hurry, Don was not your man; but his careful, thorough stewardship of the Nebraska organization helped steer it though some tough times. His characteristically quiet nature meant that many people were not fully aware of the contributions and efforts he brought to the table; but those who knew him were certain that they could count on the fact that any commitment Don made would be fulfilled to the last detail.
Jim Cronin, NFH trapper and “neighbor” to Don, commented that all of Don’s work was exacting. Jim noted that stretched coon in Don’s fur shed never had so much as a miss-shaped eye hole on the board; every fur handling detail was done “to the T”; he did every task carefully, and to the very best of his abilities.
Don quietly and thoroughly worked for trapping…no ego motive, no personal agenda…just diligent service to wildlife management. His lifetime of service is a model for how Democracy should work; people helping “carry the load” to the best of their ability, with no motive other than everyone’s best interest.
Michael Thompson
Michael Lee Thompson, long-time officer for the Nebraska Fur Harvesters, passed away on June 7, 2024. Mike led a very diverse life…born in Chicago, and raised in several towns, he graduated high school in Aurora, NE, where he worked in printing for The Aurora Register, the local newspaper. After his stint in the Army, he returned to Aurora, and resumed his job with the newspaper.
In 1977, he began working for Spearman publishing, for Chuck Spearman on several trapping related periodicals and other publications, one of which was The Midwest Trapper, which eventually became The Trapper and Predator Caller; they combined to produce many trapping periodicals and books. In 1975, the Midwest Trapper was a newsletter for the Nebraska Fur Harvesters. Later, it evolved into the Trapper and Predator Caller, and the legacy continues to this day as The Trapper magazine.) Mike’s quiet work was likely elemental to untold numbers of trappers who “cut their teeth” on magazines like The Trapper and Predator Caller. Mike and his wife Diane had a wide range of community service and involvement. For trappers, Mike and Diane both served as officers of the Nebraska Fur Harvesters for many years. Mike also was the Post Commander for the local American Legion, a baseball umpire, a school board member for Sutton, NE for over 30 years…and an excellent bowler (among other things). For Nebraska Trappers, Mike’s quiet presence and stellar character were admired by all.
Gregory Thomas Schroder
October 22nd, 1957 – November 16th, 2024
He wasn’t born in the woods, but he got there as fast as he could
Greg had a Full Life filled with several types of Loves. His main purpose and Love in Life was his Family. In 1979 Greg saw a beautiful blond lady and fell instantly in love. Brenda returned in kind and they shared 45 years together (married for 43). Brenda vowed to love him every day, even during hunting season. She did just that until he took his final breath. Greg and Brenda were more than Partners and Loves, they were Best Friends.
Greg’s favorite hunting buddies called him Dad and Papa. Greg loved his Family and was most proud of Daughter Michelle and Son Eric. When asked about his children he would give a little smirk, and he would talk-the-talk of Love. That included his Son-In-Law Ryan and bonus Granddaughter Chloe. When his two granddaughters Isabelle and Maya came along, they put a smile on Greg’s face wider than the Grand Canyon and put Love in his Heart. They will miss exploring with Papa and their journeys together. Greg didn’t Love his Family now and then, he Loved them always and without end.
His Love for hunting and trapping came as a necessity to feed the large family he was born into. He set traps before stepping a foot on a school ground and on school days woke up before sunrise to check and set his traps with little Brother Jamie in tow. He passed the tradition to his children Eric and Michelle. After school he worked on his Grandparent’s farm. This work ethic was part of his DNA.
It is said if you love what you do you never work a day in your life. He Loved his career in the fur industry where he became a leading expert. He forgot more than most know about trapping and fur. He was generous with his time and knowledge with others hoping they would embrace the love of Mother Nature and all she has to offer; especially when it comes to trapping and hunting. The friends he accumulated along the way became an important part of his life.
The family cabin was his final Love and Happy Place. Being there is like getting a hug from Mother Nature. It was where the entire family gathered to play. The family was blended by choice and woven in Love. Here he found solitude when his Illness was taking this beautiful life away. It was a time when he was strong for those he loved, after all, he weathered too many storms to be bothered by raindrops. Because he was Loved; no illness can take that away. And when his lungs were empty of air, his heart was still full with Love.
He would give a wave, a nod and smile to Leila (Tom), Jim (Kris) and Jeff (Michelle), the Eikland family that embraced him as a member of the family; who had him believing his last name should be Eikland. He would thank them for their love and support that never wavered. Greg will miss talking to his brothers Gary and Virgil; Greg is probably still laughing at the last story his brother Dennis told him as they both inherited a sense of humor worthy of a patent; he would tell his Sister Marie who was his childhood buddy to remember the good times and smile. Greg’s large family included Linda, Nancee, Duane, Jeff; sister-in-law Joan and brothers-in-law Gary and Jerry. Jamie was Greg’s sidekick and his loss created a hole in Greg’s heart that will be mended as they are now together. The nieces and nephews that will miss Greg are so many that they won’t be named but represent Greg’s extended Love of family.
He is preceded in death by many loved ones, including his parents Delbert and Agnes and his in-laws Harold and Harriet Eikland.
Those who loved Greg will gather to remember him, NOT on the first day of deer hunting season as that would be downright sacrilegious. We will gather on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 for a memorial service at East Koshkonong Lutheran Church 454 E. Church Road, Cambridge. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am with a service to follow at 11:00 with Rev. Eric Hanson officiating. Burial will be in the East Koshkonong Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com