Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa

December 30, 2015

Announcing the passing of           Brother Theodore H. Miller, 33°

I regret to inform the members of the Des Moines Valley of the passing of Judge Theodore "Ted" Miller 33°.  Ted passed away on December 27th.   Judge Theodore H. Miller, 96, passed away December 27, 2015. Theodore was born a son of Ray and Ellen Hillis Miller on November 21, 1919 in Des Moines, where he lived most of his life. He attended Hubbell Elementary, Roosevelt High School and received his JD degree from Drake University. Theodore was a great grandchild of a Civil War Veteran and faithfully served in the US Air Force during WWII. He served 15 years on the US Selective Service Board and was a post war Army Judge Advocate Division member. Theodore was a partner from 1947 to 1976 with Tesdell, Miller, Rydell and Hall Law Firm. Then continued his career as a State of Iowa District Judge, 5th Judicial District until retirement in 1998. Judge Miller was a member of the Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations, and a co-founder and past board member of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers.  Theodore was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church.  Judge Miller truly loved fishing and golfing and was a board member and past president of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Ted began his Masonic journey in Waveland Park Lodge #654 and later joined Acanthus #632.  He was a member and Past President of Des Moines High-Twelve and belonged to Za Ga Zig Shrine serving on the Shrine Bowl committee.   He joined the Des Moines Scottish Rite in 1964.  Ted was an officer of the Lodge of Perfection line, was the Degree Master of the 7th Degree (Provost & Judge), and served as Master of Kadosh in 1978.  He invested with the rank, dignity, and honor of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1973 and with the 33rd Degree, Inspector General Honorary in 1981.  Ted was a supporter of our Consistory building, serving on the building committee and workshop crew.  He was a member of the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation Century club.  Ted became a 50 year member in 2014. Theodore was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois J Mitchell Miller; brothers, Hillis and George Miller and sister, Marjorie Richards. He is survived by his children, Linda Knudsen of Brentwood, TN and Ted Miller, Jr. (Candace) of Charlotte, NC; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Cremation rites have been accorded and no services are scheduled. Private burial will be at Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove Ave., DM, IA 50311, in memory of Judge Miller. Sincerely and Fraternally,     Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar - Des Moines Scottish Rite

Updated information on the services for Donald Ray Sardeson, 32° KCCH.   Don passed away on December 25th.   The Visitation will be on Sunday January 3, 2016 at Ankeny Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4208 North Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny Iowa 50023-4609 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.  The Funeral Service will be held on Monday January 4, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. with the Masonic Service to follow at the same location.   Expressions of care and concern may be sent to Cyndy Sardeson, 810 SE Innsbruck Drive Ankeny Iowa, 50021-3621.   Sincerely and Fraternally, Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar - Des Moines Scottish Rite