Miller, Avis A.July 16, 2011. Avis left this earth as gently as she lived upon it, wrapped in the loving embrace of her family.
Born in Hanover, Wisconsin to Ben and Laura Fjelstad, Avis grew up on a farm in Brodhead. She has lived in Oconomowoc Lake since 1953, and served as village clerk for many years. Avis was a longtime volunteer at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital, where she served as auxiliary board president. She also contributed her time and talent to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and numerous other health, arts and charitable organizations.
A stubborn Norwegian, Avis loved family and friends, coffee and chocolate, books and music, and talking on the phone. She enjoyed shopping for antiques, traveling abroad, attending the symphony and ballet, and baking massive quantities of cookies and caramel corn. She was a loyal friend who loved and accepted unconditionally. By her quiet example, Avis taught us how to live with grace, generosity, courage and kindness.
Cherished mother of Mike (Mary Anne) Miller and Patricia (Saul) Winsten; dear grandma of Michael (Cheryl) Lange; Laura (Travis) Lange Aasen; Matthew (Jen) Miller; Maren (Nick) Miller Zunker; Kate (Kevin) Miller Raasch; David, Ben and Jennifer Winsten; great-grandma of Zac and Katherine Aasen; Jake and Dan Eutizzi and Alex Lange; sister-in-law to Daniel and Barbara Miller and Mary and Clem Hanneken; special aunt to Kathy Minogue and Emily Minogue Hein.
Avis was preceded in death by her husband Jack, infant daughter Jane, daughter Mary Miller Lange, and sister Beulah Fjelstad Meyer.Avis was deeply faithful. She believed that angels watch over us and was happy to fly home in their arms.
The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc for their loving care of Avis this past year, Seasons Hospice, and Tom Salmon, who made it possible for Avis to live at home as long as she did.
A celebration of Avis’s life will be held Friday, July 22nd. Visitation from 2 - 3 pm and service at 3 pm, chapel at Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc, 1305 W. Wisconsin Ave. Private burial.
No flowers please. If you wish to honor Avis, please make a donation in her name to Lake Area Free Clinic, 856 Armour Rd, Oconomowoc WI 53066; Ronald McDonald House Charities, One Kroc Drive, Oak Brook IL 60523; or Lake Country Caring, Box 591, Hartland WI 53029.
Be good to one another. Always send those you love on their journey with a wave and a kiss. And hoist a turtle sundae in her sweet memory.
