Elaine R. Miller

Elaine R. Miller, 89 of Onalaska and formerly of Stoddard passed away at Morrow Home in Sparta on Sunday, January 1, 2023.

She was born September 26, 1933 in La Crosse to Victor and Sarah (Walters) Kastenschmidt and graduated from Central High School in 1951. On July 26, 1953, she married Oscar Miller. From 1953 to 1986, Elaine worked the dairy farm alongside Oscar. In 1986, Elaine went back to school and studied to become a surgical technician. She worked from 1987 to 2007 in the Central Service Department at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse.

Elaine was very active at St Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Stoddard. She was a member of the Ladies Aide, and helped make and serve numerous funeral meals. She also baked, sewed and made many wreaths that were sold at St. Matthew’s Fall Festival. She was very active in the Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors (O.W.L.S) group. She also loved to play cards at the Onalaska YMCA.

Elaine and Oscar loved to travel together. They attended the Rose Bowl game in California twice, traveled to Europe, Arizona, Florida and many states in between. They also loved going to Brewer games.

Elaine’s other love was gardening, and planting flowers in the spring. Elaine would rather be outside digging in the dirt than spending time inside.

Elaine is survived by her daughter; Laurie(Bill) Buchner;  grandchildren, David(Brittani) Buchner, Sara(Erik) Olson; and one great grandson Hendrik Buchner. She is also survived by her brother Richard(Bev) Kastenschmidt, two sisters Nancy Anderson and Sallie(Roger) Rosinsky, and one sister-in-law Lu(Art) Osborn. She is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Oscar, her parents Victor and Sarah Kastenschmidt, her mother-in-law Mollie Miller, a brother-in-law, Dave Anderson, her sister-in-law June Ring and June’s husband Les, and her best friend and gardening buddy Ruth Buchner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7th, 2023 at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 1201 Main St Onalaska WI. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow the service in the fellowship room. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.

A private burial will take place at a later date, at the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the Morrow Home in Sparta for the care given to Elaine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Stoddard, St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Onalaska, Institutional Ministry, or Builders for Christ.

John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.