Joan F. Miller

Joan Miller, 88 of the Pioneer Memory Cottage in Fergus Falls, formerly of Dalton, died Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Sanford Health in Fargo.

 Joan Frances Lang was born on April 8, 1936, in Alexandria, Minnesota, the daughter of Leroy and Frances (Baumhofer) Lang. Joan was baptized and confirmed in Millerville. 

She attended rural School District #56, then continued her education graduating from the Brandon High School in 1954. After graduation she worked in Minneapolis as a clerk for Singer Sewing Company, and then as a bookkeeper for Butler Warehouse Company. 

On April 23, 1960, Joan married Alvin Miller in Henning, Minnesota. They lived a short time in Bismarck, ND. Alvin’s service to the country in the Army led them to Missouri and Texas. They then returned to Minnesota making their home in the Dalton area where they raised seven children. She enjoyed her family, being a homemaker and a cook for many years. Joan was employed as a cook for the Pelican Lake Health Care Center for fourteen years and was a long time member of St. Olaf Catholic Church. Her hobbies include reading and cooking. She loved the Lord, and cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. 

She is survived by her children, Susan (Keith) Kluver of Sauk Centre, Kurt Miller of Dalton, Paul Miller of Dalton, Kayla (Todd) Bechthold of Hibbing, and Kari (Mark) Houge of Bloomington; daughter-in-law, Kari Miller of Battle Lake; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Lang of Grand Rapids; brothers, Earl (Sandra) Lang of Bemidji and Ben (Deb) Lang of Willmar; sister-in-law, Barb Lang of Montgomery, AL; and by numerous relatives and friends. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvin; sons, Mark and Dean Miller; and brother Allen Lang. 

Her family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Pioneer Memory Cottage for their kind and compassionate care, as well as the medical staff at Sanford Health in Fargo. 

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Elbow Lake. 

Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM, with a 6:30 pm Prayer Service, at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Elbow Lake, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Interment: St. Loretto’s Catholic Cemetery by Elbow Lake. 

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake.