Elaine L. Miller

Elaine L. Miller, 93, South Range, WI resident, died Friday, May 27, 2016 in her home. She was born on May 24, 1923 in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin, the daughter of Hans and Esther (Brevig) Knoll, Sr.

Elaine attended Lake Nebagamon Grade School and then her High School years at Central High in Superior, WI. She worked as an office clerk during the war where she met her first love.

Elaine married John H. Miller on May 13, 1947.  In their thirty-one years together, they raised three daughters, owned and operated Miller’s Café, Bar, Motel and Gas Station in Hawthorne, WI until John passed away suddenly in 1978.  Elaine continued to work for her daughter Debbie and her husband Len after they bought the family business which was later renamed the Longbranch Saloon until she retired in 1985.

In March of 1984 she met her second love, Kurt Wermter whom she shared twenty-six wonderful years traveling, spending many a winter in Arizona, with her daughter Pam and family, going to the local baseball games, playing cribbage, smear and 500 with their friends and family. Elaine and Kurt used to have a running bet going during the World Series and Super Bowl with high stakes of twenty-five cents per game which they took quite seriously! Elaine spent many of days shopping with her beloved sister Irene, between the two, they created enough good times and laughter to fill a book.

Elaine was a life-long member of the Lake Nebagamon Presbyterian church.  She talked about how, as a young girl, she helped the pastor put the ceiling in the church by holding and bracing the boards while he secured them to the ceiling. She was a member of the Hawthorne Ladies Aid, a knitting club and a garden club in her earlier years. Later on, Elaine was involved with dear friends in which they had a 500 Club and Birthday club that met weekly. Elaine’s greatest love was her family and friends!

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Hans Knoll, Sr., a sister Irene Wedan, a brother Hans Knoll, Jr., her husband John H. Miller, a grandson Timothy John Lawrence Van Puymbrouck, a granddaughter Tia Marie Kasper-Schnepp and her second life companion Kurt Wermter.

Elaine is survived by her three daughters: Debbie (Len) Brunette, South Range, WI., Pam Hallberg, South Range, WI., and Becky (Gus/Dan) Hallberg, Hawthorne, WI., five grandchildren: Tammy (Steve) Johnson, Ty Kasper, Jen (Brian) Simons, Lenny (Kat) Brunette and Elaina Brunette; eleven great-grandchildren: Michelle Van Puymbrouck, Jackie Olin, Sara Van Puymbrouck, Hannah, Cassandra, and Nathaniel Fuller, Carlson Johnson, Ryan, Mckenzie, Morgan and Tia Kasper, Eraleanah, Tre’anna and Robert Schnepp, Olivia, Ethan and Emily Brunette and two great-great granddaughter’s: Lyla and Annabelle. In addition, Elaine is survived by her godson/nephew Kevin Knoll, many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

A special thanks to Dr. Georgia Brunette and Sherry Pothier Doskey for their very special care given to mom.

Her family and friends will sadly miss her as she was a kind and wonderful lady, who was loved and respected by all that knew her.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 6, 2016 at Lake Nebagamon Presbyterian Church and continue until the 12:00 PM celebration of life service with Pastor Richard Blood and H. Duane Aslyn, co-officiating. Burial will take place at the Lake Nebagamon Cemetery. Pallbearers for the service will be Len Brunette, Gus (Dan) Hallberg, Lenny Brunette, JR., Steve Johnson, Brian Simons, Andy Jorgenson and Nathanial Fuller. Honorary Pallbearers will be, Ty Kasper, Billy Hursh, Andy Jorgenson and Mike Schuman.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold .com .