Alfred E. Miller

Brillion - Alfred E. Miller, age 98, of Brillion, Wisconsin passed peacefully and with dignity on April 18, 2020 while at St. Mary's Felician Village, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was comforted in his journey by the love of his many family members. His long, fruitful life was accentuated by adventure, remarkable friendships and a steadfast community.

Alfred was born in the Town of Maple Grove, Manitowoc County, on October 5, 1921, son of the late John J. and Anna (Spatchek) Miller. After graduating from Brillion High School, Alfred furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin studying Agricultural Sciences. He was called upon to leave his studies after two years, returning to the Miller homestead to farm and manage the land.

He married Virginia Siebers in October 1948 in Little Chute, Wisconsin, and began a family. Upon Virginia's sudden passing in 1951, he raised his daughters on the Miller homestead with the help of his sister Veronica, while operating his Lazy Acres Riding Stable and in later years, the Al Miller Mobile Home Park. In addition to farming he drove school bus for Brillion schools for over 30 years while working for Ariens Company for 22 years before retiring in 1989.

Beyond his many occupations, Alfred found joy in his athletic endeavors, his love of animals and his many travels to Mexico over the years. He was a member of Brillion's Sky Baseball Team and was a founding member of the Silver Spur Riding Club. His Christian faith guided him throughout his life and he was a life-long member of St. Mary's Parish (now Holy Family Parish).

Alfred is survived by his three daughters: Connie (Warren) Schmidt of West Bend, WI; Laura (Robert) Lionberg of Milwaukee, WI; and Allegra Miller of Spring Lake, MI, and her mother, Peggy Reeves of Grand Rapids, MI. Alfred was exceedingly proud of his six grandchildren: Trisha (Eric), Sarah, Carlene (Ryan), Daniel, Rachel (Logan), and Alex in addition to his 14 beautiful great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Anna (Spatchek) Miller; his wife Virginia Miller; his 11 siblings: Catherine Miller, Rev. John Miller, Raymond (Agnes) Miller, Veronica Miller, Dr. Joseph (Viola) Miller, Bernard Miller, Francis (Lillian) Miller, Annie (Edward) Svatek, Clement (Glendoris) Miller, Charles (Lucina) Miller, Monica (Kenneth) Wagner; his special companion Joyce Ehrenberg; and his long-time friend Donald Bessert.

Special thank you to Devin Bertschy, Kira Koch, Jane Kopidlansky, Brittney Miller (with her canine helpers Elka and Tommy) and Justice Rutherford for their loving, compassionate and exceptional care of Alfred over many years. Additionally, thank you to the nurses, aids, caretakers and staff of the Felician Village who provided dignified, gracious and excellent care for Alfred during his residency there.

Honoring Alfred's love of land, community and animals, you may wish to make a memorial gift to a charity of your choice or to Holy Family Parish in Brillion, WI, Heaven's Gait Ranch in Cedar Grove, WI, or The Nature Conservancy.

Service will be private at this time. However, plans are being made for a joyful celebration of Alfred's life at a later date.

Rest in peace dear dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle and friend.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent from Apr. 22 to Apr. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Alfred Miller

Sponsored by Pielhop Funeral Home (formerly Pielhop-Wieting) - Brillion.

18 Entries

Mary

April 29, 2020

I delivered meals to Alfred and his cheerful and polite attitude made him one of my favorite ones to come to. He was always asking about how things were going for me rather than focusing on himself. You have my sincere sympathy.

Shirley Schwartz

April 28, 2020

My sympathy and loving hugs to Connie, Laura, Allegra and your families. Life passes by. Suddenly you look back at remembering what great neighbors Harland,myself and our family had on the farm. Will always remember the horse shows and later on taking our team of horses and giving wagon rides through the woods. Al had a long and busy life. Praying for God's healing touch be with all of you.
Sincerely, Shirley Schwartz

Charlie Miller

April 25, 2020

Connie, Laura and Allegra......your father was a very special person. His love for travel, horses and interest in knowing more people was outstanding. It took courage and love for you to drive you to Mexico when you were young to meet your pen pals, and that was truly above and beyond. We will always cherish the memories of Uncle Als stories about his frequent visits to Guadalajara and the surrounding area. Uncle Al was genuinely an inspiration to family, friends and many of the people he met through out his life.
We extend our most sincere condolences to you and hold dear the memories of your father. Peace to all of you.
Judi and Charlie Miller

Doris Miller

April 24, 2020

It was such a joy to see him sitting in the back row for Mass when I would walk into the church. Always smiled and was such a pleasant man. I think that when I was on the Worship Committee we would get the live Christmas Trees from his farm. Doris Miller (Carl).

Cindy Koch

April 23, 2020

My prayers go out to Alfred's family. My father and Alfred were close friends and neighbors. Alfred was my bus driver. I remember being 10 years old and unloading some hay by his barn off Sunny Slop Rd with my dad and Alfred came with one of his horses. That was the first horse ride that I experienced and it was fun. I will never forget how Alfred encouraged me not to be afriad and he set me up on the horse in front of him and we went into the hayfield. May God's Love and Comfort surround all of you. Praise HIM. Amen.

Carlene Kison (nee Schmidt)

April 23, 2020

We were so blessed Grandpa was able to meet his youngest great grandchild, June, before we were restricted from visiting. That visit will always hold a special place in my heart! Rest peacefully, Grandpa, until we meet again!

Mary Busse

April 23, 2020

So sorry to hear about Al. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the CU and even got to talk to Connie in his later years.

Candy Rathsack

April 23, 2020

I am sorry for your loss. Just want to share with you how I knew your father. As a young girl a bunch of us kids would pack a lunch and bike out to his riding stable. We would go with Rick Svatek who I know is related to you. We would go on the trails led by one of the daughters. I was always in awe to be there. When your father was selling the horses my parents finally agreed to get me a horse. I chose diamond but as I was leaving it reared up (which I thought was the coolest thing on earth). When my mom saw that she made me come back and choose another horse. So I then picked honey, a little buckskin. Your dad played a big part in fulfilling a dream of mine. Being at the horse farm was some of my best childhood memories. Your dad always seemed like such a gentleman. May he Rest In Peace.

April 23, 2020

TO THE MILLER FAMILY SO SAD TO HEAR OF AL,S PASSING ,MY HE REST IN PEACE, I WAS AL,S BOSS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AT ARIENS COMPANY AND HE VERY INTERESTING GOOD GUY, ALWAYS HAD A STORY TO TELL AND HE WAS A GOOD EMPLOYEE.

MIKE MAYER THE VILLAGES FLORIDA

J;ette Kraus

April 23, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We had close neighbors at the Miller Mobile Park !! Remembering how Al loved the outdoors & all his walks !! Sending prayers & hugs to his family !!!!

Letha Seering

April 23, 2020

Connie, Laura and Allegra your father was a great friend, we met him in June of 1967 when we were looking for a place to put our mobile home. Our three daughters loved the horses. We have so many memories of Alfred, enjoyed time on the bus going to Sporting events. Words can not express all the great conversations that were shared on Sunday afternoon at the barn and our favorite horse Pedro.. Would to share more about Alfred... RIP AL...

April 22, 2020

one of my favorite people of all time. he was very special as a friend to me.

Jacqueline Miller

April 22, 2020

I'm so sorry to hear of Uncle Al's passing. I really enjoyed chatting with him at Miller reunions; even though it has been many years. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone.

Ashley A

April 22, 2020

So sorry to hear of his passing. Alfred holds a very special place in my heart.... he was a very special bus driver that gave me 2 puppies after I lost my own dog. May he Rest In Peace.

John and Carol Sloma

April 22, 2020

Great memories of Al. From out at the stables riding horses when in high school, renting a "pad" for our mobile home for a few years, to seeing him at Mass every week. He always had a kind word and a smile. We will miss him. God's peace and comfort to Al's family.

Leon Propson

April 22, 2020

RIP Alfred..was always great to see and visit with you.Glad to have had you as a friend..God Bless!!!

Keith Miller

April 22, 2020

My condolences to the family during this difficult time!

Helene Burmeister

April 22, 2020

Alfred was a wonderful human being. As a young child I road my bike out to the riding stable and had the best days of my life. He was very kind man and taught me a lot about the care of horses, and how to ride. I joined the riding club and had wonderful memories of competing. None of this would have happened without his kindness and the love of children and horses. Ride like the wind Alfred, thanks for the great memories!

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