Obituary
Richard Miller
Richard “Rich” Charles Miller, 88, of West Salem, passed away February 13, 2025, at his home surrounded in the final days before his passing by his loving family.
Born on August 27, 1936, in La Crosse, WI, to Willard and Helen (Lodahl) Miller, he was a Korean Veteran who proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines from 1954-1957.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
He married Corrine “Lynn” Ledman in 1959, and they had four children together. Starting his career as a social worker in Wisconsin Rapids, he moved to West Salem and worked for Job Corps at Fort McCoy. He then began work for La Crosse County in 1968. In 1978, he was named supervisor to the newly formed La Crosse County Protective Service Unit and continued working there until his retirement in 1993.
In 1994, the Family & Children’s Center held a luncheon in his honor in which they presented Rich with a plaque “The REAL Heroes Award” in honor of his many years of dedicated service to families and children of the Coulee Region.
He married Vicki Sue Jensen in 1979, and she lovingly cared for him for nine years after a stroke left him paralyzed in 2016. She truly was his angel until his last breath.
Rich worked as a handyman throughout his life, helping his brother Jerry and cousin Robert with construction projects and completing (well, mostly completing) many of his own projects at his own home. He treasured the time he spent with his family and friends. He was an avid gardener, golfer, card player (progressive rummy expert), and reader; and if you asked him, he was a semi-professional joke teller. Miller family gatherings with Rich were a joy and always filled with love, laughter and a specialty drink of the season. He enjoyed his monthly gatherings which included Uncle Bill’s martini night with his siblings, euchre club with the Van Loon Lane neighbors and his weekly (sometimes more) summer golf outings.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Vicki Sue Miller; children, Joel (Sara) Miller of Hayward, WI; Todd (Marilyn) Miller of Fort Wayne, IN; Chase (Olga) Miller of Rotunda West, FL; Stacey Miller of Olathe, KS; foster daughter, Diana Libke of Janesville, WI; siblings, Jerry (Jan) Miller of La Crosse, WI: Mary “Peach” Herlitzka of La Crescent, MN; Tommy (Jill) Miller of Viroqua, WI; former wife, Lynn Miller of La Crosse, WI; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Drew) Light of Cincinnati, OH; Leah Brueggeman of La Crosse, WI; cousins, Barb (Vic) Kampa and Norma Overby and many nieces and
nephews. He also leaves behind the joys of his life, his 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Helen Miller; his favorite uncles, William “Bill” Miller and Floyd Storey; cousin, Robert Overby; in-laws, Donny and Bev Jensen and Basil and Agnes Ledman; John Herlitzka; Jim Brueggeman; and Lori Sage.
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 11-2:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Military Honors will be held after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Family & Children’s Center, The Parenting Place, West Salem First Responders, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
The family would like to thank the VA Tomah Health Care Spinal Cord Injury Department, Gundersen Health System and BrightStar La Crosse (especially CNA Joan and Nurse Angie) for the exceptional care they provided. Please visit CouleeCremation.com for more information.
Vicki, I am so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rich was a fun, kind, forgiving man that liked nothing more than to be together with his friends and family while giving welcome to the stranger. My memories of Rich, as a younger brother, are very positive and filled with admiration! Of course wishing I had known Rich even better. You have left many that love you and count you as a fine friend behind, for now!
I will miss this wonderful man with his witty sense of humor. Condolences to Vicki and his family.
Rich and I were friends and worked together. I enjoyed his mild manner and sense of humor for 20+ years…while employed at La Crosse County Human Services Dept. Rich and his wife, Vickie, came to see me at my La Crosse home some years ago and we enjoyed reminiscing and a nice visit. May he rest peacefully.
Rest in peace Grandpa Rich.
I treasure the OH SO MANY MEMORIES that Floyd and I had with Vicki and Rich through the years; our amazing train trip to CA, cross country skiing, movies, family gatherings, dinners, and last but not least, our now historic, GORP Club!!! You will be missed Rich. You and Vicki Sue are an inspiration on how to make lemonade out of lemons. Congratulations on a life well lived❤️
Much love, Auntie G
I worked with Rich for about 17 years while at the County .Rich was a guy who made every county crazy situation and crisis seem easy to manage .Rich was the quiet in the storm .He made county departments work like teams and he was respected by all . I celebrated Rich’s 50 birthday with him & a bunch of us county crew and he made me want to be 50 -he was that much fun!! My deepest sympathy to Vickie and all family and dear friends ! He left the world a better place for clients ,management and all who knew him Teri Geier
Rich was my supervisor when I was a student intern and then later as any employee. Rich was an avid advocate for children and families that came through his unit. He always had his social workers’ best interest in mind. I enjoyed his sense of humor and his ability to let down his hair. May you rest in peace.
So very very sorry for your loss Vicki and Family! May Rich’s well lived life and your wonderful memories of him help comfort you during this difficult time. 💕💕💕
I knew Rich as a co-worker from 1970 to 1993, when he retired. He was a humorous, competent , kind and warm person…..ideal for his social work profession. We had many good conversations over this time period.
My sympathy to Rich’s family.
Vicki and family, I want to express my condolences. I am disappointed that I will not be able to attend the celebration of life for Rich. I have many fond memories of my interactions with Rich, mostly on a golf course. He had a great sense of humor and would not hesitate to give me, and others, crap for a bad golf shot. But he could take it too. I remember going to Rich and Vicki’s for Tom and Jerry’s around Christmas time. In the warmer months he would have the golfers over. He was quite proud of his and Vicki’s fish pond and garden and loved to show us. In more recent years Rich would occasionally join us for shuffleboard. He handled that stick pretty well! I’ll miss you Rich. Rest in Peace.