THIS COULD BE MY STORY or that of any other Baby Boomer who grew up in rural southern Minnesota. With one primary exception. None of us had 21 siblings. Yes, twenty-one. I had only five—three brothers and two sisters.
But Helen Miller had seven brothers and 14 sisters, all single births, all born to the same parents, Lucille and Alvin Miller of rural Waseca, over a span on 26 years. She’s chronicled the family’s life in a self-published memoir, 21 Siblings—Cheaper by the Two Dozen.
I happened upon this book, printed in 2018, after visiting the Waseca County History Center and seeing an exhibit about this unusually large family. I knew then that I needed to read this story by Helen, 13th in line. She’s just a bit older than me. I expected my farm upbringing during the late 50s through the 60s and into the early 70s would be similar in many ways. I was right.
WHITE RICE & PANCAKES
This book proved a stroll down memory lane. I remember meals of mostly meat and potatoes with a side vegetable given that was the preferred meal of my farmer father. He, like Alvin Miller, was quite content to eat those basics and didn’t care for any deviations. Large gardens were the norm, no matter family size. Lucille Miller canned fruits and vegetables, just like my mom, except a whole lot more. And, when food supplies ran low, both our mothers cooked a meal of white rice and cinnamon. I detested that and to this day still don’t like plain white rice.
I also do not much like pancakes, although I have no particular reason to explain that dislike. Helen Miller should. She writes of the family receiving boxes and boxes of pancake mix following a railroad accident. Except they didn’t get the pancake mix until months later…when weevils had infested the food. The Millers simply sifted out the bugs, prepared and ate the pancakes. They weren’t about to turn down free food.
Specific stories like these point to the challenges of feeding a mega family, even with their own garden produce, chicken, pork and eggs. With that many people to feed and to shelter, you can only imagine the logistics of running the household. Older siblings were responsible for younger siblings. Everyone pitched in with chores. They shared a lot—clothes, shoes, a singular cup for drinking water (same as my family), rooms, a love of music and a strong faith.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH
The Millers’ Catholic faith centered their lives. Lutheranism centered mine. Faith carried the Millers through an especially tragic event—the deaths of their aunt, Irene Miller Zimmerman, and her six young children in 1959. An unseen train broadsided their station wagon just blocks from Sacred Heart School, the same school Helen and her siblings attended. She writes: It was under this veil of grief that I grew up a rather serious child. She was only four years old.
Amid the difficult moments, Helen documents light-hearted moments, too. One in particular caused me to burst into laughter. As a seven-year-old, Helen went to Confession for the first time, thinking she had not broken any of the Ten Commandments. But she had to confess something to the priest. Helen admitted to disobeying her parents twice, having false gods twice and then, and here’s the kicker, committing adultery three or four times. Now there’s nothing funny about that sin. But when an elementary-aged girl confesses to something she clearly doesn’t understand, well, I wonder how that priest kept from laughing aloud. He didn’t laugh, or correct her, according to Helen, who twice confessed to breaking the Sixth Commandment.
SEWING, FISHING & A WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE
Story after story reveals a childhood upbringing that many times mimicked my own. Like Helen, I learned to sew because, if I wanted new clothes as a teen, I needed to stitch them. I babysat children for fifty cents an hour, just like Helen. I fished, occasionally, with my family. But the Millers fished often, usually at their rustic cabin along Reeds Lake a short drive from their farm. Vacations and dining out were not part of our youthful experiences. The list of similarities goes on and on among the many differences.
I can never fully relate to having 21 siblings. But this rural Waseca family managed and, by all accounts, well. With a whole lot of organization, love, strength and patience. And, Helen notes, with an eternally optimistic and patient mother. Just like my mom.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
WOW – what incredible family lineage and history. I went to school with one kid and he was the baby of 14 kids and I thought that was a lot. He had a hard time at graduation since his father was into his 70’s already. I stated to him enjoy the day and just embrace your family (they were such a loving family and helped everyone no questions asked). I think about my paternal grandmother and her having her last two in her 40’s. I will have to see if I can get my hands on this book. Thanks for sharing – Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Renee, I think you would enjoy this book. How kind of you to encourage your classmate. Like the family you knew, the Millers were a loving and giving family. There’s so much I didn’t share in my review, including that several of the Miller children were disabled. But I tried to give an overview of their life by pulling specifics from the book which really resonated with me, or caused me to laugh.
My family is a mixture of boys and girls just like your Audrey (exactly) but I am floor about a family of children (22!) as I read about a family of 15 children in my own lineage – during the same time frame as this family! This past week, we lost my youngest brother. He was the first to go. Ah – the memories!
Gunny, I am so sorry about the recent loss of your youngest brother. May comfort and peace be yours as you honor and remember him.
😲 21 is big even for a good Catholic family. And they all made it to adulthood! My paternal grandparents had 9 kids – but only 7 made it through. But then, that was in the late 1800s and early 1900s when antibiotics didn’t exist. It must be fun to have a vast number of cousins! 😁
You’re right. That is a lot of kids even for a Catholic family. You’re also right about many children not living to adulthood. My dad and mom each lost two young siblings. And, yes, antibiotics and vaccines could have saved them. I have lots of cousins on my dad’s side. Around forty!
I remember my dad talking about this family. We are related to them through my great grandmother.
How interesting that you recall your dad talking about the Millers. They had to make quite an impression by sheer numbers.
I can’t even imagine 21 siblings. I can only relate to making 50 cents an hour for babysitting, sewing my own clothes, and my mother canning some food. 😉
I know. It’s hard to imagine having 21 siblings. But we can at least relate to some of Helen’s experiences.
this is utterly amazing to me, and I can see why you can identify with the family in this book for so many reasons. they definitely are from ‘tough stock,’ knew how to get through most anything, survive the hard times, and support each other as a strong and loving family unit. I am so impressed hearing their story. I feel like no matter where life may have taken each of them over the years, they could get through most anything and make the best of any situation.
You are spot on in your comment. At the end of the book, Helen provides a summary of what each of the Millers did in life. Several have passed. I only touched on the surface of their lives in this review.
I’d love to read this book, Audrey. I can certainly relate to the large gardens, endless canning, and a story of flour being infested, yet sifted and used. We also raised many animals for food. Our family lacked the proper logistics to make things run smoothly, like the labor of everyone pitching in, with love, optimism, and faith. I had over 20 siblings, but we all didn’t have the same mother and father. I used to (and still do) dream of us all getting along, being happy, healthy, and creating an amazing community for the next generation… Maybe this book could offer tips.
That would be wonderful, if you and all your siblings could come together. Have you met all of them? And, yes, you should read this book as you could relate to much of the content.
My dad had ten sibs as he grew up in very rural Indiana.
Pretty common back in the day to have large families in rural areas.
21 ! Whew! But not uncommon for that era and that environment. Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for reviewing!
Twenty-two kids would be uncommon even for that time period. Ten to 12 kids, no. But not 22.