Ruth Miller

Ruth Miller, of Appleton, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 5, 2020 at the Appleton Care Center, surrounded by her family at the age of 79.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Ruth Josephine Miller was born on July 6th, 1940 in Benson, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Ferdinand and Ida (Carlson) Johnson.  She was baptized on December 11, 1940 by Pastor Richard Johnson and confirmed on October 25th, 1953 by Pastor J.G.Sivedberg, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota.

Ruth was raised in the Benson area and graduated from Benson High School in 1958.  On April 8th, 1961, Ruth was united in marriage to Willard Lavern Miller at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, officiated by Pastor Robert Olson.  This union was blessed with 23 wonderful years together until Willards' passing in 1984.  They had 5 children; Karen, David, Jennifer, Jonathan, and baby Kathryn who died in infancy. 

Over the years, Ruth and Willard lived in several small towns, then settled with their family in Appleton. She attended Granite Falls Vocational and Technical College; where she received a diploma in the accounting program in 1981.  Ruth worked at several different jobs, but found her niche as a paraprofessional in the Special Education Department at Appleton and Lac qui Parle Valley School system where she worked until retiring after 25 years of service.  She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton where she served as a Sunday School teacher and was active with the altar and funeral committees, plus a member of Creative Quilters.

Ruth enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, putting together puzzles, embroidering, quilting, making her own greeting cards, and baking.  Ruth volunteered at Pioneer PBS and decorated the windows at the Senior Citizen Center in Appleton.  She visited the residents at the Appleton Area Health Care Center, always greeting and giving them a smile.  Ruth loved music and enjoyed playing her accordion in her younger years.

Ruth passed away on March 5th, 2020 at the Appleton Area Health Care Center.  She reached the age of 79 years, 7 months, and 28 days. She is survived by her children:  Karen (James) Geyer; David (Renae) Miller; Jennifer Gorham; Jonathan (Jill) Miller.  Nine grandchildren; Courtney (Nathan), Nichole, Brandon, Ryan, Paige, Sophie, Spencer, Andrew and Madeline; her angel in heaven.  Sister, Florence Beckey of Lady Lake, Florida.  Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Willard in 1984, infant daughter Kathryn, parents Ferdinand and Ida Johnson, brothers Bueford (Gene) and Vernon Johnson; sisters, Margaret Johanson, Marion Rice, Mae Bennett, Rosalie Lucking, Lillian Grussing, Frances Jensen and granddaughter; Madeline Gorham.

Blessed be the memory of Ruth Josephine Miller  1940-2020.