Norbert "Norby" Miller

Norbert A. “Norby” Miller, 86, of La Crescent, died at his home from a heart attack on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

He was born on April 16, 1931, on the family farm in rural Hokah to John P. and Emma (Lehman) Miller. Norby served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On June 4, 1957, he married Rita Hafner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in La Crosse. They lived at Miller’s Corner (Hwy. 16/26) for 33 years until they retired to La Crescent in 1997. Norby worked for Norplex (Isola) for 32 years and also farmed beef cattle. He leaves a legacy of a work ethic that his sons inherited from him.

Norby loved to play cards, gardening and doing jigsaw puzzles. He volunteered at Gundersen Health System for 15 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 595, and was a member of Crucifixion Catholic Church in La Crescent for 59 years. Norby was a kind and gentle person who was a hard worker his entire life.

He is survived by Rita, his loving wife of 59 years; a daughter, Janice Miller Cash (J.C., deceased) of Arkansas; two sons, Dan of Arizona and Dave of Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Cameron, Sarah, Bert Jr., Joshua, Alexandra, Erin and Samantha; and four great grandsons, Jeremiah, Samuel, Charlie and Noah. Norby is also survived by brothers, Mac, Conrad and Albert, all of La Crosse, Martin of La Crescent, and Harold (Monica) of Milwaukee; two sisters, Gertrude Miller and Lucille (John) Petersen of Caledonia; sister-in-law, Mildred Miller of West Salem; and too many nieces and nephews to mention. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bro. Rudy, M.S.C., Vincent and Eugene; son-in-law, J.C. Cash; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Pat and Jack Heberlein; and brother-in-law, Walter Miller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 29 ^th , at Crucifixion Catholic Church in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. A private burial will take place at a later date in St. Joseph’s Convent Cemetery, Hokah. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.

The family would like to thank niece, Jean and Frank Muehlenkamp and nephew, Bill and Jodi Petersen for all the love and kindness and support given to Norby through the years.