Mary Miller

Miller, Mary M - MADISON On September 7, 2021 at age 97, our beautiful mother, Mary M. Miller, departed from the beloved kinship of her doting family, church, neighbors, friends, and community, having died with Christ Jesus, she went to be with the Lord. Mary was blessed with a full life of meaning derived from her faith, words, relationships, and the work of her hands. We, her family, are grateful for the love of so many that surrounded her life.

Mary was Daughter to Bertha Frey and Jacob Zumwald, who emigrated from alpine villages near Bern, Switzerland in 1922 to New Glarus, WI. Upon Jacob’s death, Bertha remarried Arnold Wenger, who became Mary’s adopted father, eventually settling near Lodi.

Mary was a committed Wife and vital companion to John A. Miller, our dear father, whom she wed in Lodi, WI on May 23, 1944, and who departed this life in 1983. Mary was Mother to Jeanne (Philip) Miller, Joyce (Ben) Caputo, June (Gene) Wolf, Dale Miller, and Daniel (Lori) Miller. Mary was Grandmother to Cristina Caputo, Anna (Brian) Packowitz, John Leatherman, Jacob Miller, Stefan Wolf, Jonathan (Shalom) Miller, Hannah (Kilian) Olszewsky, Talbot Miller, and Marie Claire Miller; Great-Grandmother to Isabella and Christian, and sister-in-law, Norma Wenger.. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her Sisters Jenny (“Bud”) Radl, Rosie (Marvin) Dolphin, Mitzi (Rick) Sogn, her Brothers Arnold (Maggie), Mike Wenger, Herman “Boots” (Darlene) Wenger, and Alvin. She is survived by brothers, John Wenger & Jerry (Rhonda) Wenger and sister-in-law, Norma Wenger. Mary was Aunt to 90+ nieces and nephews, each whom she knew by name including their life stories that she joyfully recited.

Mary was Parishioner to Our Lady Queen of Peace church, where she ministered for 38 years to multiple generations of school children as Head Cook in the school lunch program, and served the Queen’s Guild in countless charity and fundraising events. Mary was Neighbor in Westmorland and Block Captain on her street for decades where she served to “knit” her fellow neighbors together in supporting communal activities including the renowned 4 ^th of July fireworks, children’s holiday parades, charitable fundraising, community causes, and communal gatherings.

Mary was grateful to be a Friend to more than we can list, but you all know what you meant to Mom by her abiding affection, faithfulness, and quiet acts of service. While we deeply mourn her departure and dearly miss her, we are inspired by her life, love, kindness, patience, long suffering, and courage.

We are comforted in the knowledge of Mary as Child of God and her belief that death was not the end as she ‘looked forward to the resurrection and the life of the world to come’. As her name was aptly given, Mary was full of grace and His presence.

Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church located at 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 with Monsignor Larry Bakke presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10-11a.m. with the mass service immediately following. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Live streaming of the Funeral Mass will be available through the Parish Website at Our Lady Queen of Peace ( qopc.org ). In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish for School Endowment Fund.

Finally, we her children wish to give thanks to so many who loved Mary and lavished us with kind offerings of sympathy and comfort. We thank Fr. Christopher Tyler Whatley who ministered to Mom in her final days.