Bonni J. Miller
July 24, 1962 – July 27, 2020
Bonni J. Miller, 58, of Waupaca, formerly of Iola, passed away Monday, July 27, at Select Speciality Hospital in Madison.
Bonni was born in Marshfield, on July 24, 1962, a daughter of Dorothy (Corn) Miller and the late Roger Miller.
Bonni Miller grew up in Iola and graduated from Iola High School. She also attended Nicolet College in Rhinelander and UW–Stevens Point in Journalism. She was the editor of the Nicolet College newspaper, editor of Goldmine, a music album collector magazine with Krause Publications of Iola, and editor-publisher of the Jensen Community Spirit of Amherst.
She was also known as a remarkable cook, who learned her sauces from her mother, Dorothy, and baking from her paternal grandmother, Olive Miller. She was the baker at the Arrowhead Café on the Mole Lake Reservation in the ‘80s. Bonni was the owner and chief cook of her Waupaca Restaurant, the Chez Marche’, and sold baked goods at the Waupaca farm market. She championed organic local foods and farmers and, in her own way, urban farming with backyard rabbits and chickens. She always had a dog, from her childhood dogs of Moe and Blue to her present Dawg, now cared for by her long-time partner, Brian Thern.
Bonni’s love of music began early with the Beatles, Joplin, and Baez. Her musical appreciation was expanded by her editing of the Goldmine magazine and grew to a special liking for deep blues and rowdy rock. She enjoyed local live music and musicians. She surrounded herself with beauty and kindness. She supported artists and was herself skilled at pottery, painting, beadwork and décor.
She was politically passionate, evolving from early Green Party, to Dennis Kuchinich – Dem, to her present love of Bernie. Her support mainly was based on caring for people, the environment, and fairness.
Bonni is survived by her mother, Dorothy Miller and sister, Jill Miller, of Mosinee, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her father Roger Miller, and grandparents Emmet and Lois Corn of Mosinee, and Bert and Olive Miller of Withee, Wisconsin.
A Private Family Gathering will be held at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola. A public gathering will be held at a later time.