Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.

How do you know Deborah J Miller?

Family Friend Work Other

We are sorry for your loss.

Help others honor Deborah's memory.

Copy

Coping with Grief

We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.

Official Obituary of

Deborah J Miller

September 22, 1953 ~ January 16, 2023 (age 69) 69 Years Old

Deborah Miller Obituary

Deborah (Debbie) Jane Miller, 69, of Sparta, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, La Crosse. She was born on September 22, 1953, to Duane and Shirley (Rich) Downing in Viroqua, WI. She grew up in the Ontario area, and graduated from Brookwood High School in 1972.

Debbie met Jim Miller in 1973. They were married on May 29, 1976, and began building their family together in the Sparta area.

Debbie loved spending time with her kids and grandkids, especially watching them in extracurricular activities, playing board games and cards with them. She enjoyed decorating, feeding and watching birds, Hallmark movies and chocolate. It was important for Debbie to stay in touch with family and do special things for them as she was very loving, caring and thoughtful. She had a very special place in her heart for her dog, Minnie which she rescued from Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter. Some of her favorite times were spent at Downing family gatherings. She enjoyed cheering on the Packers, Brewers and Badgers. Prior to retiring, she worked at Northern Engraving and at MaryCrest Assisted Living unit at Morrow Home Community in Sparta. She also volunteered at Mary Morrow's Attic and was a member of the Sparta Lioness Club.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Jim Miller; children, Jamie (Chad) Bjerke, Jason Miller, and Jeremy Miller; grandchildren, Levi Miller, Madilynn Bjerke, Meghan Miller, and Mason Bjerke; sisters, Jonie (Harry) Curtis, Kim (Tim) Parker, and Kristi (Randy) Muehlenkamp; sister-in-law, Mavis Downing; brother-in-law, Gary (Kathy) Miller; mother-in-law, Patricia Miller; and many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Duane and Shirley Downing; brother, Mike Downing; and father-in-law, Leonard Miller.

Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com. Memorials in Deborah’s honor can be made to Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter at 15560 WI-131, Tomah, WI 54660.

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah J Miller, please visit our floral store.