 | Ronald "Ron" Miller September 24, 1935 ~ November 26, 2024 89 Years Old
Ronald Lee Miller, 89, was welcomed into eternal life due to the effects of advanced Parkinson’s on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, being greeted by his loving wife, Laverne, and his daughter, Mary.
Ron was born on September 24, 1935 in Kaukauna, son of the late Michael and Margaret (Lambie) Miller. In 1955, he met the love of his life Laverne “Vernie” Lamers, at a wedding he had crashed at the VFW and on September 25, 1956 they were married at St. John’s in Little Chute. Together they raised seven children and spent 66 wonderful years together before Vernie’s passing on December 17, 2022.
Ron had an admirable work ethic and began his working career first as a pin setter in high school at Verbeten’s Bowling Alley. He later went on to hold positions at Carstens Elevator and John Van Cuick Construction. In 1957, Ron and Vernie established Miller Masonry, which is in its third generation of Miller family members. Miller Masonry had the privilege of working with many companies over the years and built a close working relationship with BelGioioso Cheese who are now like family. Through Miller Masonry, Ron was an Expert Witness for many court cases that involved masonry projects or concrete foundations. Ron was passionate about his work and continued to go into the office up until he physically couldn’t anymore. While owning and operating a successful business kept both Ron and Vernie busy, they were both devoted parents and always made sure they were present at all of their children’s sporting events and activities which is something they will forever cherish. When Ron and Vernie’s daughter, Mary, passed away from a rare kidney cancer in 2011, Ron never took off his orange kidney cancer support bracelet until it broke and fell off a couple of months ago, which is a true testament of Ron’s love and commitment to his family. For Ron and Vernie’s 50th wedding anniversary, Ron treated Vernie and the five daughters to a wonderful Mexico trip, since Ron didn’t like to fly or travel much anymore. Lifelong memories were made there and in 2019/2020, Ron and his daughter, Kim, put together a 200-page book called, “The Last Miller Standing & The First 60 Years.” It took many months, but turned out great and is a wonderful tribute to Ron and Vernie, their family, and Miller Masonry.
Weekends and summers spent at the Cloverleaf Lakes cottage were a favorite for Ron and his family. Many special memories were made at the cottage from Friday fish fry’s every week at Breakaway, the annual tradition of putting in and taking out the dock, and Ron’s annual recording of the date the lake fully froze over and the ice out date which is a tradition Ron started since day one. Ron also enjoyed fishing, hunting, cutting and delivering wood, and spending time at the cabin/woods. Ron was extremely active and loved to stay busy. He was an active member of the Kaukauna Lions Club, the past president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, as well as the Cloverleaf Lakes Protective Association working with the DNR. He loved playing horseshoes at Kamp’s Bar and Cloverleaf Lakes where he worked up to being in the Class A Professional League, playing cards at Club Gabriel, with his lake buddies and one of his caregivers, Bea, Packer pools, and going to Mark’s East Side every Wednesday with his son Randy and some of Ron’s old friends. He also enjoyed taking part in the activities offered during his time in the nursing homes. In his spare time, Ron enjoyed watching westerns and staying up to date on anything Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and NASCAR. Along with his love of watching sports, Ron was also very passionate about participating in different sports and activities. While in school and later in life, Ron enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, running the 440, bowling, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, racquetball, tower shoots for clay pigeons, as well as duck and deer hunting. Ron had a strong will to live and hoped to live to 100 years old, but despite enduring a tough year medically, he never gave up and always stayed positive with his “roll with the punches” outlook on life. Ron’s family will also remember him for his quick wit and famous smart aleck response to many questions: “Is the Pope Catholic?”
Ron and Vernie were blessed with seven children: Kim Miller, Randy (Bridget) Miller, Gary (Lori) Miller, Sara Eslinger, Karla (Bill) Miller-Flynn, Mary (Bruce) Yaeger (deceased), and Sally (lovingly AKA Punk) (Joe) Miller Jaskolski.
Ron is survived by six of his seven children as well as grandchildren: Alisia, Justin, Joshua, Jared, Kyle, Karina, Micky, Kadie, Murphy, Jack, Kenzy, Nik, Casey, and Jordan; 11 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Joan Miller; and brother-in-law, Floyd Klister. He is further survived by many extended family members and special friends: Ed Nackers and Jim Weber.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Laverne; daughter, Mary; son-in-law, Ken Eslinger; his parents; Vernie’s parents: Barney and Genevieve (Hietpas) Lamers; sisters: Elsie Knott and Lil Gerrits; brothers: Herb Miller, Adam Miller, Bill Miller, and Mike Miller; brothers-in-law: Bob Gerrits, Dave Kobs, and Nick Kraft; sisters-in-law: Jeanne Klister, Mary Kraft, Jan Miller, Myrna Miller, and Laverne “Lolly” Miller; and special friends: Tony Rosecky and Harold Roloff.
Per Ron’s wishes, cremation will take place and a private gathering for family and close friends will be held at a later date. Inurnment will take place in Appleton’s Highland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Ron’s honor.
Condolences can be sent to the Miller Family at P.O. Box 96, Kaukauna, WI 54130. Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.
The family would like to thank the various caregivers from Home Instead, the staff at Club Gabriel, Brewster Village, St. Paul’s rehab & nursing home, his various doctors and medical team, St. Elizabeth Hospital and ER staff for his many visits there, Kaukauna paramedics for their trips to the house/ER, Ron’s neighbor and nephew, Mike and Barb Knott, who helped out in many ways over the years, and Ron’s friends who visited him at the hospital or nursing homes, especially Ed Nackers, who was there a lot, as well as family that was able to visit and help out over the past years. |
1935 - 2024 (89 years)
