Joseph Miller

Joseph Donald Miller died comfortably in his sleep March 1st at 3:14 pm at his home, surrounded by family, with a view of his lake, exactly as he wished.

Joe was born on April 18th, 1943 to parents Howard and Irma. Joe had a big family with nine siblings: Jim, John, Jean, Judy, Jerome, Fred, Joyce, Dave, and Jeffrey.

He grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After graduating from Regis High School, he joined the Navy. A military career highlight was when stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, his duties included searching for Soviet submarines and identifying ships attempting to deliver nuclear weapons to Cuba.

After the military, he moved to Circle Pines, Minnesota where he, with his wife Mary, raised three daughters Laurie, Kathleen and Carolyn while he worked as a welder at FMC.

Two particular passions of his were golf and fishing. After retiring, he returned to Wisconsin, living on the Chetek chain of lakes with his second wife Jane, connected by water to many in his family and friends. He spent as much time as he could on the golf course or in his fishing boat.

He also took great pride and joy in his grandchildren, Michael, John, Elizabeth, Delaney, Lucas, Oscar and Maxanne attending so many of their events large and small, as well as welcoming them to his lake home for holidays or just to spend the weekend with "Papa Joe." Not that long ago, he was teaching his great-grandson Eli, how to catch sunnies off the end of his dock.

Joe loved the outdoors. Memorable trips include exploring Alaska, several canoe trips into the Boundary Waters, and his 4 hikes to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

We will miss his feisty character, his sense of humor, his toughness and grit, his hilarious stories - (some of them were even true), his passion for sports and most of all, the love he showed his family.

He will be missed.

A celebration of life will be held later this spring.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.