Agnes R. Miller

Agnes Rita (Ram) Miller, entered into eternal life on February 27, 2023, due to a short illness.

She was born January 24, 1928. She was proudly raised in Chicago Il, the 3rd of seven daughters to Clemens John and Elizabeth Ann (Zaludek) Ram.

Attended St Michael’s Grade School Chicago Il, The Academy of Our Lady Convent for High School -Milwaukee Wi, and eventually graduated from St Norbert College 1971, later taking graduate classes at Notre Dame University and was inducted as a Golden Knight in 2021.

Agnes spent 4 years as the religious nun, Sr Inez, where she taught at St Mary Grade School, Menasha.  She eventually left the religious life and married in 1953. Agnes was a Culligan Lady for Sears before going back to teaching at St. Therese Grade School Appleton, then taught (14 yrs) and was Principal (an additional 16 yrs) at St. John’s, Menasha where she proudly started up the Kindergarten classes, established the school library which was eventually named after her, and became the first ever – dual Principal between St. John’s and St. Mary’s Grade Schools for 3 years. With an overall tenure of 30 years spent in the Catholic School system.  

Agnes moved to Popple River, Wi in 1990 and continued to teach Religious Education classes in Long Lake, and Laona.  She also substituted at Crandon, Laona and Wabeno schools.

When not in the classroom, Agnes  worked for the Wisconsin Census going door to door in the Northwoods area, taught AARP Driver Education / 55 Alive at various town halls, Correspondent for Popple River news in the Forest Republican Newspaper, Director & Educational Speaker for Lake States Women in Timber Forest Educ. Fund, WI Legislative Chair/Director/Secretary of Lake States Women in Timber Inc – participating in 14 trips from 1991 to 2005 to lobby with Senators and Congressmen in Washington DC on the topic of land/forest management, Advisory Councilwoman for Project Learning Tree, The St Mary Class of 1951 ladies lunch group and lastly she held many different positions in the Catholic Daughters of America Neenah-Menasha and Appleton groups-a nonprofit organization throughout the US traveling and making friends in every state.  She also started a youth group version of the adults while at St. John’s, taking 4 trips to National and State conventions with a group of girls and some moms.

Speaking of traveling, Agnes, loved to travel by plane, motorcoach bus, train and car having been to all 50 states, Panama Canal, Caribbean, an 18-day trip to study Shakespeare in England with 1 day to Paris, via the Chunnel.    Agnes loved to drive visiting her out of state children and grandchildren stopping off at friends along the route.

Agnes is survived by her 5 children and children in laws: Tom (LuAnn Birling), Tim (Ann Berghammer), Todd (Rachel Schafhauser), Ted (Sue Zelinski), Tracey (Joseph) Van Stippen.

10 Grandchildren who called her G-MA: Jessica Miller (friend Corey), Kimberlee (Dale) Zuber, Kaitlynn Miller (fiancé Roy), Tarrent (friend Helen), Shyla Miller, Hannah (fiancé Erik), Zachary (fiancé Angela), Ramsey (Aaron) Nowak, Jared (Rachel) and Sophie Van Stippen, 3 step-grands: Jason (Maria), Corinn(Bryant)Richards, Sam(Leisa) Koslowski.

Along with 12 Great-Grandchildren and 9 Step Great-Grandchildren who called her Great-MA.

2 sisters: Barbara J Orlando and Angela M Orlando both from Il., 2 sisters in law: Roxann Miller, Judy Otto. Rosemary, Ron Ziccardi - Il, who is like a sister since childhood and special friend Frances (Van Stippen) Rivera.

Numerous and much-loved Nieces, Nephews, Godchildren and many lifelong friends throughout the US.

Agnes was preceded in death by a grandson Louis James, her sisters: Mary (Paul) Longenecker, Clare (Charles) Ehrnfelt, Veronica Ram and Elizabeth (Betty) Ram, 3 brothers in law Robert and Angelo Orlando, Don Otto and nephew Michael R Orlando.

We’d like to Thank the staff at Prairie Home for welcoming and caring for Agnes. Her Hospice Nurses Jen and Claudia and volunteer Terry.  You all made visiting with mom so much better.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Agnes on Thursday June 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church of Appleton at 312 S. State Street. There will be a visitation at the church on Thursday preceding the Mass from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.