Albert "Bert" Louis Miller

Albert (Bert) Louis Miller, 91, of Onalaska, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Bert was born in La Crosse on June 29, 1926, to Albert and Ida (von Rohr) Miller. He attended Campus School and graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1944. Immediately after graduation he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radio operator on the USS Kane in the South Pacific during WWII. He graduated from UW Madison with a degree in business after the war. Bert married Beverly Sprain on December 22, 1948 and together they raised seven children. She preceded him in death on February 25, 1984. He married Sharon Hulse on November 9, 1985.

As a businessman, Bert was the third generation to operate the family business The Miller Broom Company until the early 1960’s. His love of the area and entrepreneurial spirit then led him to establish the Miller Dredging Company. With his hard work ethic, he dredged and created several lasting legacies to La Crosse known today as Lauderdale, Nakomis, and the Bridgeview Plaza area. Bert had a passion for the outdoors all of his life; working outside, hunting, fishing, golfing, and enjoying the beauty of nature always with one of his faithful Labradors by his side. He and Sharon enjoyed traveling the world together and always planning their next adventure. His greatest joy was his family and bringing them all together, especially at Christmas time and for an annual 4th of July celebration at the cottage in Minocqua, WI. What an example of how to live a good life!

Bert was a man of faith, a life-long member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, having served as treasurer and on various church boards.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children: Lynn (Ronald) Drecktrah of Wausau, Steven (Raeone) Miller of Aptos, CA, Susan (Kenneth) Pinski of La Crosse, Ann Miller of Madison, Karen (Jorge) Ruiz of Wausau, Christine Miller of Madison, John Miller of Annapolis, MD; grandchildren: Karl (Jessica) Drecktrah, Kristin (Ivan) Paz, Ryan (Nicole) Heiser, Avery (Kona) Miller, Ashley (Lindsey) Miller, Ross (Renee) Pinski, Mark (Cortnee) Pinski, Ann Dolphin, Amy (Zafer) Gurel, Joseph Ruiz, Jacob (Bianca) Ruiz, Rachel (Andrew) Boersma, Sophia, Ella, and Hailey Miller; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Yvonne Gilster of West Salem and Sharon Sprain of Onalaska; and many nieces and nephews. Bert is further survived by his wife Sharon's children: Julie (Paul) Hatlem of La Crescent, Kurt (Jeanne) Hulse of Onalaska, Wendy (Rick) Lommen of Onalaska; grandchildren: Kyle, Garrett and Calvin Hulse, and Lauren, Claire and Tyler Lommen. He was predeceased by sisters Charlotte Woods and Ruth Olsson, and brothers-in-law Allen Sprain, Robert Gilster, Harry Woods and Wilfred Olsson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 West Avenue So., La Crosse. Pastor Richard Pamperin will officiate. Visitation will be at the church, beginning at 10 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their gratitude for the wonderful care received by the Gundersen Health System and for the support of the Hospice Program which allowed Bert to be home to make the most of his time with his family. Memorials may be directed to First Evangelical Lutheran Church.