Mario Miller

Mario D. Miller, “Super Mario”, 18, La Crescent, MN, passed peacefully from this life into Life Eternal on July 20, with his family and loved ones surrounding him. He was diagnosed with Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia and fought nine months while waiting for heart and lung transplants. Mario joined his beloved grandma and oldest brother, Derrick, in Heaven. Mario was a constant joy to his parents, Michelle and Larry, and to his brother and best friend, Phillip. He was loved by his cousins, Terronique and Aaron, aunts and uncles, Francine, Aaron, Wanda, Basil, Erick, and Byron . La Crescent has been the best place to grow up, giving the boys great friends, sports, school and church. Mario was talented in basketball and football, playing in the AAU Traveling Basketball league, as well as the La Crescent High School Lancer teams. He had an electric personality and was loved by all. His happy childhood included going on family vacations with one of his best friend's family. Little Allie sent handmade coloring pictures to cheer Mario up. Known for his kindness and fun, he was supported by the whole school and an especially tight group of friends who always drove to Rochester to see him, with the guys often sleeping over at the hospital. They were regularly caught eating pizza, playing sports video games together or watching Packers games. Mario pranked the nurses when he wasn't being the model patient. In turn, they gave him gummy worms in his medicine cup. Through the Make A Wish Foundation, Mario was able to Facetime his favorite NBA player, Dwayne Wade.
His family invites you to come to Mario's Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, July 30 at 11:00 AM at La Crescent United Methodist Church. Visitation from 9 -11AM, with lunch to follow. Burial in La Crescent will be at a later time. In honor of Mario, an education fund will be set up at Altra Federal Credit Union to enable his brother, Phillip, to follow his dreams.
His family thanks God for support from the entire La Crescent community along with the loving staff at St. Mary's, who became family to us all. Mario's love has touched each one of us and his quiet strength, passion and perseverance has taught us all so much.