ALFRED "MIKE" MILLER

Alfred "Mike" Miller passed into God's loving arms on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 after many years struggling with Parkinson's. He was born to Joe and Bernice (Cox) Miller on April 7, 1938 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He attended grade school and high school at St. Peter's Catholic School in Hokah, MN and was taught by the Notre Dame Sisters and graduated with eight classmates. After graduation, he worked in Kenosha traveling home each weekend to be with his sweetheart, Teresa Blechinger, whom he met at the Avalon Ballroom in La Crosse. In 1960, they were married at Crucifixion Church. Together they built a home together on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and Wisconsin hills where they lived many happy years and were blessed with four children. After working at Trane Company for 38 years, he never really retired, just moved on to other types of work. Mike was a proud member of the Mayo Health System where he spent enjoyable days and creating great memories with the people he worked with for another 16 years. Mike's passions were collecting antique tractors and classic cars and he owned many over the years. He enjoyed spending time with his brother-in-law Stanley Blechinger searching for and buying antique cars, sometimes finding them in hog pastures! One time ( to Teresa's dismay) he came home with a fire truck! He was a member of the Old Style Auto Club where he and the family drove through many area parades. He drove the "Woman of the Year" through the annual La Crescent Applefest parade for nearly 40 years. Mom and Dad loved driving their '56 Chevy Bel Air to St. Paul for the 'Back to the Fifties' Car Show for over 20 years. Mike and Teresa absolutely loved spending time in May each year with their close friends from New Ulm hunting for Morel mushrooms, one year finding 180 lbs. Another of Mike's interests was woodworking; he worked in his wood working shop and took evening classes at Western for this hobby along with one of his sons. Mike was a hard worker all his life and passed his work ethic onto his children teaching by example and instilling in them the ideas of service and commitment. A man of great faith and a lifelong Catholic, these principles and faith guided him through his life and impacted the lives of many others. As a proud member and willing supporter/volunteer of the Knights of Columbus, he could be found working many Sunday evening Bingo games and volunteering for many other community events over the years. He was a serious card player and could play a variety of card games and enjoyed many a game with his grandkids. He loved dancing even more and he and Teresa danced a mean polka. They were known for their dancing. He and Teresa wintered in sunny Arizona many years where they met many wonderful friends and are still in close touch with today; the kids and grandkids also enjoyed visiting . He was a member of the Eagles Club and the Moose, again volunteering many evenings. He enjoyed spending Sundays and holidays (and anytime!) with his grandchildren. He and Teresa loved travelling and enjoyed numerous trips to Europe. He will be sorely missed in the circle of family and friends he and Teresa were blessed with. Surviving him are his wife, Teresa, his children, Vicky Jessen, Michael (Brenda) Miller, Mark Miller and Tracy Brown. Grandchildren include Stefania Jessen, Jennifer (Walter) Beach, Christopher Jessen, Lewis, Jack and Maria Miller, Austin and Chase Brown, Joey and Miranda Miller. Great Grandchildren include Adelaide and Jude Beach. He is survived by his brother-in-law Chester Blechinger and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the Gundersen Tweeten Care Center staff who were outstanding and so good to him and to Heartland Hospice. Per Mike's wishes no flowers, memorials may be given to Crucifixion Catholic Church/School and St. Peters's School. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30am, Saturday, May 7 at Crucifixion Church, La Crescent. Visitation will be from 9am until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Crucifixion Cemetary. With all of Dad's interests, one lifetime would never be enough time to fulfill all of them. Rest in peace Dad.

ALFRED "MIKE" MILLER

April 7, 1938 - April 27, 2022