Joan Emma Miller

Through divine guidance and her strong faith, Joan Emma Miller, age 83 of Preston, Iowa transitioned into eternal life on Thursday, March 28, 2013 (Holy Week) at 6:25 AM at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa with her daughter by her side. This day, March 28, Maundy Thursday, is a day of remembrance for the church and for Joan’s life.
Born on July 18, 1929 to Johannes and Margaret (Herzberg) Martensen of Bryant, Iowa, Joan was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, Iowa. She attended Goose Lake High School and graduated with the Class of 1947. Early in her career, Joan worked for the Clinton Garment Factory in Clinton, Iowa, Goose Lake School District in Goose Lake, Iowa, and Clinton Engines in Maquoketa, Iowa. She met Virgil while working at the Goose Lake School when he was hired to make an equipment repair in the school cafeteria. On the hottest day of the year, June 21, 1953, Joan married Virgil J. Miller at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlotte, Iowa. After they married, they started Buck’s TV Sales & Service in Preston, Iowa and managed the business for over 20 years before starting Preston Area Cable in Preston, Miles, Goose Lake and Charlotte. Joan retired in 1995 when Virgil passed away. While her children were growing up, Joan was also a homemaker and cherished taking care of her family. The photos, displayed throughout Joan’s home, are evidence of the joy she found in her family. Joan and her family also loved to travel, enjoying an annual fishing vacation in Minnesota in early summer, and two weeks traveling out west in late summer.
Joan was a member of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Preston. She also belonged to the Ruth Circle at St. John’s, Preston Women’s Club, Jackson County Historical Society, Friends of the Jackson County Conservation, American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hats Society. She was a past member of Am Vets Auxiliary. Joan enjoyed collecting dolls, angels and village pieces, taking photographs, decorating her home for every holiday, and attending festivals with her daughter, Kathy. If one thing could be said about Joan, it would be that she was always present. She had a passion for living life in the moment, and was committed to being involved in, and supporting, her community, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Joan lived her life based on a quote by Kent Nerburn, “Something precious is lost if we rush headlong into the details of life without pausing for a moment to pay homage to the mystery of life and the gift of another day.”
Joan will be dearly and deeply missed by her daughter, Kathy A. Miller of Joliet, Illinois. She is survived by her daughter Kathy, a brother, David Martensen of Clinton, Iowa, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mardelle Welch, her husband, Virgil and her son, Steven.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, April 2 from 4 PM to 7 PM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 204 N Anna Street in Preston, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will take place in Miles Cemetery, Miles, Iowa.
Memorials in Joan’s honor may be made to: St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 204 N Anna Street, Preston, IA 52069 Leeza’s Place/Leeza’s Care Connection, 50 Uno Circle, Joliet, IL 60435