Nancy Jean Miller

Nancy Jean Miller, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, holding the hand of her youngest son Larry. She was born to the late Michael and Clara (Besnah) Flanigan on June 1, 1938. On July 28, 1956, she married the late Roger James Miller at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.

An avid book reader who enjoyed anything written by James Patterson among many others, we estimated she has read between 12,000 to 13,000 books throughout her lifetime. Nancy got the love for reading from her Father Michael who would read during movies as he was the projectionist for an Appleton movie theater. Nancy then instilled the love of reading in her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Special thanks to the staff at Half Price Books, who knew her by name, for their camaraderie and community when Nancy made her weekly stops. She told her sons she was going to have to give up her quest in “the race” she called it to read James Patterson’s books that he keeps putting out. She leaves that mantle to her family to pick up.

She enjoyed gaming with her grand kids, making them made to-order ice cream flurries, and swimming in the backyard pool in the summers. She loved camping with her husband, children and grandchildren, enjoying decades of travel in the RV she shared with her husband. She also enjoyed traveling the world, and in particular Ireland and Egypt held special places in her heart. She enjoyed lunch outings disguised as casino trips with Millie, Patty and Debbie. Grams made the best cheesy potatoes this earth has ever seen. She had a lifelong crush on Paul Newman, and was a former member of the Sly Fox Ski Club. She loved spoiling her grand kids, crocheting doilies a la the Irish way, and proud of her Irish heritage. Always ready with open arms for a baby, or some Irish humor to lighten the mood, Nancy will be missed as a cherished grandmother always ready with a quip or a clever retort. She absolutely delighted in making Christmas a special and unique experience for her family.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Roger and son Michael.

Nancy is survived by her only remaining sibling, Sister Pat Flanigan who dedicated her life to God and her family as a nun in the Catholic order. Sister Pat has remained on this Earth at 97 years of age to oversee the journey of her entire family to be with God and each other once again in heaven. Nancy is also survived by her sons and daughters in law, Thomas (Jill) Miller and Larry (Bonnie) Miller, sister in law Patty Winter, daughter in law Mary Zaddack, (8) grandchildren and (13) great grandchildren.

Very Special thanks to Dr. Allison Stallbohm and her nurse Alma for treating mom like she was their very own Grams. She felt the same way about them. Special thanks to Krista of St. Croix Hospice, Greg and Pam as well for their dedicated and compassionate care to our Mom and Grandma.

“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Visitation will be in the Chapel at Appleton Highland Memorial Cemetery starting at 9:30-10:30 AM Friday April 25th, with a short Funeral Liturgy starting at 10:30 AM by Sister Mary Ellen Joyce.