Joanne Marie McMiller was called to the fullness of eternal life in Christ Jesus on July 21st while a resident at Creve Coeur Assisted Living and Memory Care in St. Louis. Joanne celebrated her 93rd birthday with family on April 21st in the St. Louis home of her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Lisa), with her two sons, James and David present.
A memorial service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church of Sussex, WI at 2:00 pm, Rev. Gary Gehlbach officiating, visitation begins at 1:00 at the church, with a committal service at Oconomowoc Town Cemetery following.
Joanne was born to Frederick William Braun and Mabel Wilhelmina Theresa (nee Wittenberg) Braun of Wisconsin Rapids. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, all four of her elder siblings Walter, Edna Appel, Robert, Eleanor Sommerfeldt, and husband Rev. Robert James McMiller, and also by her youngest daughter Lynn Marie McMiller.
Joanne was married to Robert in December 1952 while he was in his second year of Seminary at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Louis. She faithfully accompanied her husband while he served parishes in Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and later in Wisconsin and Arizona for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Joanne often served with secretarial skills, sang in the church choir, directed children's choirs and even substituted on the organ when needed.
Joanne’s five children kept her busy at home, but her Sunday dinner table was often filled with guests. Joanne is survived by James of Hartland, WI, David (Donna) of Alpharetta, GA, Daniel (Lisa) of St. Louis, MO, Rebecca of Jasper, GA, 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
For 21 years Joanne and Robert lived in Okauchee where Robert served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and for 40 years Joanne lived in Arizona, where she and her husband Robert, after retirement, attended Fountain of Life Lutheran church. After Robert’s death in 2009, Joanne lived independently in Sun City, and moved to St. Louis in April of 2025 to be near family. Her family is grateful for her confession of faith and confidence in the life to come in Christ Jesus.
