Joyce A. Miller

Joyce Augusta Miller, age 86, who relocated in December 2010 to Cypress Village in Jacksonville, Florida, passed away gently and peacefully on Sunday, July 8, 2012. Born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, Joyce grew up near Algoma, Wisconsin, and the shores of Lake Michigan with her parents, Emil Zillmer and Julia Sidlo Zillmer.

Upon graduation from high school, Joyce attended county normal school for two years and began her teaching career at the tender age of eighteen. She managed a classroom that ranged from 25 to 30 children in grades one through eight in a two-room schoolhouse that served these rural families. She married the love of her life, James Walter Miller, in 1946 after his safe return from the Pacific battles of World War II, and they soon brought their two daughters into the world while Jim pursued his education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Joyce returned to teaching when the family moved to Waupaca, Wisconsin, and for more than 30 years she taught first-grade students there, dedicating her life to their learning and their socialization. An avid life-long learner herself, Joyce pursued every opportunity to further her education despite her teaching and parenting duties, often sacrificing her summer recess period to coursework, term papers, and travel to and from school.

She received her Bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State College at Stevens Point and her Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Built into each summer over the years, however, were her carefully planned and orchestrated family camping trips to nearly every National Park in America. After retirement at age 55, Joyce and Jim travelled extensively. They eventually fell in love with the hills and lake country of central Florida, and settled in to a comfortable snowbird routine, summering at their Wisconsin woodland home and wintering with the sunshine of their adopted home. Joyce loved spending time with little ones, particularly her grandchildren, whose lives she significantly shaped. Though she enjoyed reading, creating music, and dancing with Jim and their friends, she was perhaps happiest when she was deep in Nature, whether walking colorful country lanes in autumn or collecting seashells on ocean beaches. It brought her joy to create beautiful things, and she focused her considerable talents in rosemaling, skillfully painting the intricate patterns of this Norwegian art form. She leaves a legacy of love, joy, and beauty to all who knew her.

Joyce was preceded in death by Jim in 2011 after 65 years of marriage, and by brother Douglas Zillmer and sister Elaine Zillmer Hanson. She is survived by her sister Muriel Zillmer Hanson of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; her two daughters: Jane C. Steinbach of Kaukauna, Wisconsin (Reverend Walter Steinbach, Jr.), and Dr. Judith A. M. Smith, Commander, USN-Retired, of Jacksonville, Florida (Captain Chester B. Smith, USN-Retired); by grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jonathan D. Steinbach (Rebecca) plus Lily and Nathan, of Milwaukee; Paula J. Steinbach Davis (Brian) plus Isaac and Isabelle, of Appleton, Wisconsin; Zachary J. Smith (Christie) plus Emerson and Maxim, Jessica L. Smith, and Chester B. Smith, Jr., all of Jacksonville; and Randall C. Smith (Cristal) plus Garret and Amelia of Belton, Texas. She is further survived by a brother-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces and nephews, and other extended family members, as well as friends and neighbors who have also been an important part of Joyce's long and full life.

No visitation or services will be held in Jacksonville. Joyce's remains will be cremated under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home in Jacksonville Beach. Joyce will make a final return to the woods of Wisconsin where a celebration of a life well lived will take place for family and friends at the family home off Oakland Drive outside of the city of Waupaca at 2:00 on Sunday, August 12, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, in memory of Joyce.