Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Helen Miller
Helen Emma Leona Miller died on Wed., March 28, 2018, at Oak Garden Place in Altoona, WI.
She was the second daughter born to Robert and Emma (Lee) Carlson on August 10, 1917, near Amery, WI. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Little Falls, WI. Helen attended school in Deer Park, New Richmond, and graduated from Augusta High School. She was a graduate of the Milwaukee Beauty School in Eau Claire, WI. Helen joined the Augusta United Methodist Church on Oct. 20, 1933, while Pastor Brown was their minister and remained a member there for 85 years. The crocheted prayer shawl she received from the church was the one item she continually requested as a source of security, warmth and comfort in her final weeks.Helen was united in marriage to Gaylord Miller when they eloped to Waukon, IO, on July 29, 1939. The couple lived most of their married life in Augusta, WI, except for a few years in Washington and Oregon. After Gaylord passed on Oct. 23, 1989, Helen continued to live in the home she loved in Augusta until shewas 100 years old. She especially enjoyed Sundays, going to church and watching the Green Bay Packers. Helen enjoyed family trips in the summer, which included visiting both coasts several times and points between. She liked making meals for her family, which often included Karen and Bob’s friends andalways included desserts. Christmas found her making all sorts of authentic Norwegian recipes including sandbakkles, rosettes, and krumkake. On the eve of Helen’s one hundredth birthday, she stayed awake until after midnight and told family and friends, “I wanted to know that I had made it.” She voluntarily gaveup her driver’s license when she was 99, saying, “Anyone who is 100 years old should not be driving.” She was a woman of decisiveness.
Helen will be dearly missed by her daughter, Karen J. (Duane) Reineke of New Auburn, WI; son, Bob L. (Maxine) Miller of Punta Gorda, FL; three grandchildren, Tamera (Rev. Mark) Miller of Alexandria, MN, Kevin (Chris) Reineke of Chaska, MN, and Tricia (Tim) Kultgen of Chanhassen, MN; eight great-grandchildren, Luke, Dr. Cory (Kayla) and Pastor Lee (Rachel) Miller, Allison, Jake and Nicole Reineke, Jack and Jocelyn Kultgen; one great-great grandson, Eli Miller; two step grandchildren, Ron (Stephanie) Sell, Sara (Jim Jr.) Kiesow, both of Fall Creek, WI, and their children, Josh and Taylor Sell, Hunter and Chase Kiesow and one grandchild, Kane Johnson; nephew Ed (Helenea) Conner of Pittsburgh, PA, and their three children; nephew Roger (Renie) Randall, and niece, Shelly (Dave) Moake all of Surprise, AZ, and their families.
In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Emma Carlson and her sister, Doris Conner, of Pittsburgh, PA. Her final wish was to be reunited with her sister and especially her mother, who she never met as she died giving birth to Helen.
Helen’s funeral service will be held at the Augusta United Methodist Church,137 E. Brown St., Augusta, WI. on Wednesday, April 4, at 12:00 with Pastor Jen Barnet officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the Church. Burial will be at the East Lawn Cemetery in Augusta following the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a non-profit charity of one’s choice in honor of Helen Miller.
The family would like to thank Lois Mansur and Rick Berg for their willing support and thoughtful kindnesses which helped Helen remain in her own home so long, “Helen’s Angels” at Oak Garden Place for their uplifting spirit, kindness and care, Julie Hayden and team who protected Helen from the fears that haunted her in the night, and St Joe’s Hospice who provided nursing care and made the last weeks of Helen’s life more comfortable.
The family appreciated the guidance, counseling and perspective they received from St. Joe’s Hospice.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com
