Joyce L Miller

Joyce Louise Miller, age 79, of Mankato and formerly of Mapleton, died Thursday, August 7, 2008 at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2008 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, rural Mankato with Rev. David Danner officiating. Burial will be in Decoria Cemetery, rural Mankato. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Monday. Memorials may be given to ISJ Hospice, American Cancer Society, or Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Joyce was born on January 18, 1929 to Henry and Caroline (Luebke) Westphal in St. Peter. Joyce grew up in Oshawa Township and attended grade school at Oshawa Country School and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1948. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. Joyce was united in marriage to Harold "Popeye" Miller on October 24, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. Joyce had worked at Kresge's Dime Store and Automatic Electric in Mankato, and later at Johnson Fishing and Minnkota Motors for 15 " years before retiring in January 1991.
Joyce was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, life member of the Mapleton VFW Auxiliary, and a member of the Eagle Lake Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening and flowers, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, bingo, fishing, walking, and spending time with her family.

Joyce is survived by two sons and their wives, Glenn and Lisa Miller of Lake Washington, Larry and Shari Miller of Mankato; daughter and her husband, Barbara and John Page of Lake Jefferson; six grandchildren, Cole, Stephanie, and Travis Miller, Jessica (Erik Thomsen) Page, Nathan Page and fianc", Cassie Worrell, and Ryan Page; two step-grandchildren, Staci and Travis Wenner; one step-great granddaughter, Rhyan; two sisters, Pearl Savoy of New Ulm and Arline (Myron) Becker of Nicollet; brother, Donald (Vivian) Westphal of Howard Lake; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Westphal of St. Peter, Dorothy Miller and Vi Miller both of Mankato; two brothers-in-law, Rhiny Tretter of Nicollet and Roger (Peg) Miller of Mankato; special friend, Lorraine Southwick; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Popeye in 2000; one sister, Lorna Tretter; two brothers, Warren and Lloyd; and one granddaughter, Erin.