Miley James Gjertsen, 82 of Big Lake, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025, with his son by his side, after a five-year battle with cancer.

Born April 29, 1943, to Leon and Beatrice (Dale) Gjertsen. Miley grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School in 1961. In 1964, he married Sue Erickson, with whom he would share 61 years of marriage. Together they settled in Richfield, started their family, and raised their three children, Jim, Lori, and Jenny. The family would later move to Bloomington, then Rogers. Finally, as empty nesters, he would move with his wife to Big Lake, where he continued to live until his passing.

Miley began his career working alongside his father at the Minneapolis Toro Factory. He would later go on to start Miley’s Sprinkler Systems, which he operated from 1967 until selling the business in 1997. After this he would work with a couple of sprinkler companies before settling with Aqua Engineering out of Eden Prairie (a former competitor), where he would work until he retired at age 80. In both his personal and professional life, Miley was well known as a charismatic and dependable man. His stalwart personality attracted a wide circle of treasured friends and trusted connections. He was a devoted head of his family and loved to be someone who could solve any problem or answer any question for both his family and friends. Always eager to spend time with the people he cared about, Miley was an avid card player, and loved to play any game under the sun, but poker, cribbage, and smear were among his favorites. Although if cards were unavailable he was always ready for pitching quarters or playing liar’s poker with dollar bills. While he would play these games anywhere, his favorite place to do so was at his cabin property near Aitkin. He built the cabin from the ground up with the help of his friends and family and spent countless weekends there. Throughout his whole life, Miley loved anything with wheels but had a particular love for Street Rods and Corvettes. He took great pride in keeping every vehicle he owned, whether a brand new Corvette or an old winter beater, in pristine condition. Similarly he always took great care to ensure his yard was always in flawless condition. Doing his utmost to keep it maintained better than many golf courses.

He is survived by his wife Sue; children Jim Gjertsen, Lori Varner, and Jenny (Karth) Mitchell; grandchildren Colton and Sam Varner, Christian (Kristine) Mitchell, Mike (Jamie) Mitchell, and Alex (Katie) Mitchell; and great grandchildren Jacob, Laurenna, and Cameron. He is also survived by his sisters Jude (Wayne) Walters and Elaine Rogers, several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and too many friends to count. Miley is preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter-in-law Celia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, July 11 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Monticello, MN with visitation two hours prior and a luncheon to follow. A private interment ceremony will take place at Bailey Station Cemetery in Big Lake MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel ~ Monticello. 763-295-2918. (www.petersongrimsmochapel.com)