Rosalie Elizabeth Hermsen Miller
April 21, 1924 – January 7, 2022
Rosalie Elizabeth Hermsen Miller born April 21,1924, was the seventh child born to George and Anna (Gloudemans) Hermsen in Little Chute, Wisconsin.
As a young girl, she worked at her family’s grocery store in Little Chute, Wisconsin.
As a young teenager she enjoyed babysitting. One of her fondest memories was returning home from babysitting to find her father waiting up for her. They shared a special bond together and many happy memories were made playing the card game, Russian Bank. She claimed that she made more money wagering the outcome of the game than she had babysitting. She continued to play Russian Bank throughout her lifetime. In general, she and her family were very proud of their Dutch heritage.
After graduating from St. Johns High School Little Chute, she immediately went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend St Mary’s Marquette School of Nursing. She lived with her Aunt Mart and has shared many happy memories of their time together.
After completing her nursing studies, she worked on the pediatric ward of St Mary’s. She loved working and caring for the children assigned to her there. She briefly attended Marillac Catholic Sisters College operated by the Daughters of Charity in Jackson, Missouri.
She married Ernest J. Miller on Nov. 24, 1950, during one of the biggest snow storms of the season. They were happily married for 67 years until his passing in 2017.
In the early ‘60s, Rosalie was a volunteer at the American Red Cross and Christ Child Camp in Wisconsin. She claimed “I found my nursing uniform” and was happy to be able to care for others once again.
Rosalie and Ernest lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, until 1977 and then moved to Edina, Minnesota, until 2018.
Rosalie loved gardening and established beautiful tulip beds despite the devouring onslaught of deer and rabbits. She was an avid walker; making friends along her routes. She played the piano beautifully. Rosalie enjoyed reading non-fiction and watching historical television documentaries. During many summers, she and her family joined her relatives at rental cottages and later this became bi-annual family reunions.
After suffering a stroke in 2018, she moved to Iola, Wisconsin, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dan Schneider. She especially enjoyed the beauty of her country life; each sunrise and sunset, occasional rainbows, warm crackly fires in the fireplace, and watching the variety of wildlife and seasonal changes from her deck.
She was touched by the warm welcome she received by her new faith community of Hitterdahl Church and the many new friendships that were formed there. She always greeted people with grace and quick wit.
She is survived by brother Bernard Hermsen (Barbara); sisters Imelda Kandler and Marjorie Miller; sisters-in-law Barb Miller and Lois Hermsen; daughters Deanne Millkamp (Tony) Lisa Schneider (Daniel); sons Paul Miller, Mark Miller, and Greg Miller (Janet); 12 grandchildren Phillip (Theon) Millkamp, Joel (Laura) Millkamp, Paul Millkamp, Misha Millkamp, Oksana (fiancé Layton) Millkamp, Galena Millkamp, Adam Schneider, Katie (Jason) Thiry, Elizabeth Schneider, Ellie Miller, George Miller, and Karl Miller; two great-grandchildren Charlotte and Max Millkamp.
She is preceded in death by parents George and Anna Hermsen, husband Ernest Miller, brother-in-law Al Miller, brothers Gerald Hermsen, Paul Hermsen, Joseph Hermsen, sisters Mary Van Thiel, Joan Groh, and Loraine Schwinn.
Rosalie’s family would like to thank the staff at The Willows in Iola and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care and support during the last months of her life.
Due to current restrictive circumstances in gatherings, services to honor and celebrate Rosalie’s life will be held on Saturday April 16 at 11 a.m. at Hitterdahl Lutheran Church, Iola) with Rev. Dale Wilson officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Internment at Fort Snelling Minneapolis to be announced.
Mom: we were blessed to have you as our mother. You were an outstanding example of selfless giving and constant caring. Thank you for teaching us faith and believing. We will be forever blessed by the love you have shared.