Obit: Miller, Anita A. (1917 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Miller, Anita, Zank, Struensee, Schneider, Koppert, Wedekind, Waulters, Damon, Ewert, Bemick, Waters, Lang, Kuhn, Strangfeld, Giles, Malles, Mannel, Kemz, Luck, Green

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 28 Jul 2015

Miller, Anita A. (31 JAN 1917 – 25 JUL 2015)

Anita A. Miller, 98, of Neillsville, died peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Neillsville Retirement Community where she lived for the past four years.

Anita Augusta Irene (Wedekind) was the oldest child of seven born to Richard & Ida (Luck) Wedekind on January 31, 1917 in the township of Grant in Neillsville, WI.

She attended the Washington Grade School and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1935. She remained on the home farm helping with her younger siblings and working out at homes doing various jobs. She moved to Eau Claire to work at an ammunition plant during WWII. Upon returning to Neillsville she worked at Weidenhoff's.

She married her husband, Clarence F. Miller on June 19, 1948 in Neillsville. He died on June 3, 1986. She was a loving mother of eight children, Gary (Linda) Miller, Linette (Wendell) Kuhn, Steven (Barb) Miller, Janice Greene, Daniel (Emile) Miller, Jeffrey (Debbie) Miller all of Neillsville, Glen (Karen DeRenzo) Miller of Merrill, WI and Wendell (Donna) Miller of Midland, NC.

Anita was a homemaker who was a wonderful cook and seamstress. She loved songbirds, flowers and trees. She also spent much of her time keeping up with the news. She enjoyed and took pride in making cards and doing handiwork for her church. She enjoyed time with family and friends and taking trips across the U.S. and a trip to Europe. She was a member of the Neillsville United Church of Christ, the UCC Circle of Friends and Ladies of the Bazaar workshop.

She is survived by sixteen grandchildren, including, Matthew (Mary) Miller, Jolene Miller, Leah (Jason) Bernick, Tracie (Nic) Waters, Sara (Nathan) Lang, Andrew (Sarah) Miller, Jamie (Barb) Kuhn, Jason (Melody) Kuhn, Elizabeth (Brandon) Miller, Gregory (Yanette) Miller, Kevin Miller, Leslie (John) Strangfeld, Kent (Rachel) Miller, Brooke (David) Giles, Mitchell Miller, Benjamin Miller and two step-grandchildren, Erica Malles and Joshua Mannel, and twenty-four great grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Arlene Kernz of Neillsville, brother-in-law, Frank Zank of Neillsville, Shirley Miller of Osseo, WI and Caroline Miller of Evansville, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, her siblings Harry Wedekind, Ruby Waulters, Leona Damon, Lillian Ewert and Raymond Wedekind, a grandson, Randy Miller and great grandson, Alex Miller.

Special gratitude to Ministry Home care nurses, Amanda Struensee and Julie Hiles, Dr. Amy Schneider and Pastor Jacoba Koppert and also the Neillsville Retirement Community for their extraordinary care and compassion during her final months and days.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Jacoba Koppert will officiate. Providing music will be Eileen Zank, organist and Kristin and Karen Mohr. A Visitation for Anita will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and again from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning preceding the service at the church. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers will be her grandsons; Jamie Kuhn, Jason Kuhn, Matt Miller, Kent Miller, Mitchell Miller and Ben Miller. Honorary casket bearers will be Greg Miller, Kevin Miller and Andy Miller.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Anita's family with Funeral arrangements.