Donald & Sandra Miller
Donald & Sandra Miller
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life services for Sandra Jean Miller and Donald E. Miller for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. It was an honor for me to learn about this lovely couple and help their family and friends pay tribute to their lives. Each of these services were filled with sentiments from family members and meaningful songs. After 55 years of marriage, they are now reunited in heaven and truly together forever. They will be dearly missed by many. After Sandy’s service concluded with Elvis’ “How Great Thou Art” and the family left, I felt compelled to stay a little longer. It was known that Sandy was always the last to leave any gathering, as she didn’t want to miss a thing. So, I stayed ’til the end to bear witness to her placement, and I happened upon a friend working there whom I hadn’t seen in a few years. It was great to catch up. Many thanks to Sandy who compelled me to stay- ’til the end.
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Sandra Jean Miller
July 5th, 1947 – December 6th, 2022
Where we are experiencing her loss- a missing piece- Sandy is experiencing completeness- wholeness. She is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. Her journey is complete. She is reunited with her parents Everett and Irene, her twin brother Randall, her sister Barbara, her nephew Fredrick, and many other dear loved ones. She is surrounded by love.
Sandy would not want your hearts to be troubled. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find Sandy to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with her again someday in the kingdom of God.
As I sat with Sandy’s husband and children to prepare for this celebration of her life, the resounding theme was Sandy’s mothering skills. No matter who you were, she’d feed you and chat with you, make you laugh…and maybe even iron your clothes for you. She was the best at being the ultimate mother.
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Sandy grew up in Racine with her siblings Randall and Barbara. She met Don Miller at Lakeside Auto where she’d go with her brother. They started seeing each other, and that was it. Don, a few years older than Sandy, even went to her senior prom with her. Then, as the newspaper put it, Don “claimed” Sandy and they were united in marriage on July 29th, 1967 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Racine.
For 55 years, Sandy and Don adventured through married life. They welcomed 3 children into the world, Jody, Jeff, and Julie. Family time was everything to Sandy, and she adored being a mom.
She was a mother figure to her nieces and nephew. Numerous family members and friends lived with Sandy and Don over the years. They had created a loving, safe home that was the place to go if there was a need. Don said, “Who didn’t we take in?”
Carrie is one of the family members that lived at Sandy and Don’s for a while. Sandy took Carrie in and helped raised her. Carrie shared this lovely message: “Aunt Sandy had the voice of an angel that makes everything feel like it’s going to be okay, even on your worst day. The most sincere and beautiful smile that makes you feel truly loved and always made you know she was happy to see you. She exuded a light that drew everyone to her, family, friends, and even strangers. The most beautiful light. Her sincerity was the most honest love you could feel, but her loving you was the best gift of all because her love came for life and with no boundaries. Her ability to love not only her children but her nieces and nephews like they were her own children. I never thought anyone could be as good of a grandma as Grandma Laehr, but all of her grandkids and my daughter actually got to experience Grandma Laehr though Aunt Sandy’s love.”
By opening her heart and her home, Sandy impacted a lot of lives. Her family concurred that she wasn’t just the sunshine of your life, Sandy was the sun, the moon, the stars, the thunder, and the lightning. She was remarkable, and she was everything.
Sandy adored family time. Every Thursday and Sunday the family gathered for meals. Jody said that even after visiting all evening, shortly after she’d leave, she would receive a call from her mother wanting to talk to her some more. Don said, “Sandy and I were always the last to leave any social gathering. I just couldn’t ever get her to leave.”
With Sandy, there was never a boring moment, and she never took no for an answer. If you came over to visit, she’d lovingly capture you and do anything to make sure you didn’t leave. She’d pour you another drink or bring out more food. She loved to entertain. Friends of her children always felt welcome, and always left well fed.
Kristin, a friend of Jody’s, spent a lot of time at Sandy and Don’s home over the years. Kristin shared this message: “To me, Sandy was stylish- always chic- hair, nails, and accessories always perfect. She was cheerful and had an infectious smile and laugh. She was persuasive and used to say ‘come on Kristin’ to me a lot! Sandy was jovial, faithful, loyal, sociable, welcoming, and accepting.”
Her children describe her as glamorous, a sweetheart, and feisty. She was bright and shiny. Her appearance was impeccable, and she always had her hair done, makeup and jewelry on, and of course, lipstick. She was a lady and wouldn’t put gas in her car. Don said that he would have to drive carefully because she’d paint her nails on the way to events. Her nails were always red or burgundy.
Sandy doted on Don and her family. She pressed Don’s clothes, even his t-shirts and hankies. She pressed the grandkids’ clothes, too. She always made sure her children wore outfits that were coordinated and fashionable.
Sandy enjoyed many years of work and held a variety of positions. She worked at Twin Disc, St. Mary’s Hospital (Admissions, Medical Transcription and Medical Staff Secretary), Fountain Hills, The Look Salon, and Johnson Financial and Insurance. Her smile and laugh were infectious, and her kindness fit in anywhere. She had a lot of fun with her work.
Daughter Jody said, “Mom taught me that anything is possible. Yes, is the answer. What’s the question?”
Son Jeff said, “Mom always loved me when I screwed up. She called me an All-American boy. She would push me forward and say we are all God’s children. I always tried to make her proud.”
Sandy was loved and appreciated everywhere she went. The wonderful staff at Waterford Senior Living & Memory Care, where Sandy spent the past few years, all loved her. They called her “sassy pants Sandy.” She was unique and a standout with her red hair. Sandy listened to all the stories that the staff told, and she’d make them laugh. She was treasured there and will be greatly missed. The family extends sincere gratitude to all of those that provided such great care for Sandy.
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Sandy will be forever missed by her husband Don, her children Jody, Jeff, and Julie, sons-in-law Ted and Max, 6 grandchildren Collin, Jared, Sydney, Dominic, Samara, and Gannon, her great-grandchild Levi, and many family members and dear friends.
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Donald E. Miller
August 28th, 1944- May 22nd, 2024
For many of us, it seems like we were just here…honoring the life of Don’s dear wife, Sandy. These are immensely challenging times as we pay witness to the aging and passing of parents, grandparents, and friends. Our worlds may start to feel a little emptier as the years go by…having one less person to pick up the phone and call…one less person at the dinner table. But while we have this powerful sense of loss, may you know in your hearts that Don, along with Sandy, are home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven.
Don’s journey is complete. He is reunited with his parents Edwin and Grace, the love of his life Sandy, his brothers David and Dean, his in-laws Everett and Irene, his brother-in-law Randy, his sister-in-law Barb, and many other loved ones. He is whole. He is surrounded by love. And he most certainly would not want your hearts to be troubled.
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Don was born on August 28, 1944, and grew up in Racine with his parents and siblings. At Lakeside Auto, Don was introduced to the incomparable Sandra Jean. They started seeing each other, and that was it. Don, a few years older than Sandy, even went to her senior prom with her. Then, as the newspaper put it, Don “claimed” Sandy and they were united in marriage on July 29th, 1967, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Racine.
For 55 years, Don and Sandy adventured through married life. They welcomed 3 children into the world, Jody, Jeff, and Julie. Sandy passed in December of 2022, and Don missed her every moment of every day.
Don was a loving family man. If you mentioned needing something, he’d thoughtfully pick it up at the store for you. Don was always the grocery shopper, and he’d take his little sidekick, Julie, with him. Thanks to Sandy, the grocery list was always organized in order of how the store was laid out. If for some reason Don didn’t do the shopping, though, the family would spend twice as much and have half the amount of food, and they’d wish that Dad would go to the store because he was so much better at it.
Numerous family members and friends lived with Don and Sandy over the years. They had created a loving, safe home that was the place to go if there was a need. Don had said, “Who didn’t we take in?”
Don was very handy and could fix nearly everything. Tidiness was imperative for Don. From his yard to his car to his wardrobe, meticulous attention to cleanliness mattered. Don had said that he inherited his organization skills from his dad and kindness from his mom. He instilled in his children the mantras of: put it back where you found it, neatness counts, and keep it clean! Toward the end, Don even ironed his shirt, put together an outfit, and then called the ambulance.
Don immensely enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he adored them all. He looked forward to weekly lunches with daughter Julie and regular visits with the grandkids. He and daughter Jody followed each other’s travels and daily activities through their phone locators. He looked forward to long phone calls with son Jeff and talking to him after each Packers or Brewers game.
Jody said, “Dad was a loving, reliable, dependable person, and good citizen. His door was open, and he was always willing to help a person in need.”
Jeff said, “Dad could be a bit hard on me, but he taught me lessons I didn’t start to understand until my 20s. I’m so grateful for everything he did for our family.”
Julie said, “He was a wonderful dad and took care of the family. I loved being his little peanut.”
Don had a fulfilling career, holding various positions at S.C. Johnson & Son for 38 years. He retired in 2006 as a Production Planner.
Don kept active with bike rides, helping his neighbors, attending the Racine Churchman’s Club, and doing what he referred to as the “domestic chores” since Sandy passed. He was supportive of all the sports and activities that his grandchildren participated in. Don liked to walk around Menards to get his steps in. He knew where everything was and could have worked there. He was a master at the grill, and his “famous” BBQ chicken will be missed. He was known to enjoy a good nap in just about any chair. His family never witnessed him wear a pair of shorts. During a recent trip to Jeff’s in Florida, Don was caught napping…on the beach…in pants.
Don had such a good heart and could surprise you with a little joke here and there.
Don fought hard all the way through, but even the strongest among us need to find rest. When God called Don home, he was ready to follow.
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May you embrace and share with others the qualities of Don that you love and miss so much so that his legacy may live on. Be organized, iron your pants, tidy up your lawn, grill some chicken, tap a nap…and remember Don. His love for you, all the beautiful memories he built with you…will stay with you always.
There are so many stories to tell and memories to relive. Please, share the memories, share the love today and in the days and years to come so that Don’s legacy may endure.
Don will be forever missed by his children Jody, Jeff, and Julie, sons-in-law Ted and Max, 6 grandchildren Collin, Jared, Sydney, Dominic, Samara, and Gannon, great-grandchild Levi, sister Doris, and many other family members and dear friends.
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Don and Sandy, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly