Kriston "Kris" Emil Miller

Kriston "Kris" Emil Miller, the son of Arthur and Arlene (nee’ Kitzerow) Miller, was born on November 2, 1956 in Elkhorn, WI.  In his younger years, Kris lived in Hartford, WI, before his family moved to Poy Sippi in 1975. 

While living in Poy Sippi, Kris married Jamie Jakubowski on September 2, 1978.  Together, Kris and Jamie had two sons, Shane and Brian.  Kris was active in his community and kept a busy work schedule.  He could be found bartending at his parent’s bar “Big Daddy’s”, operating his own towing business – K & J Towing, towing for and wrenching in Danny Button’s garage, working for the Poy Sippi Township, and he was a volunteer firefighter for the Poy Sippi Fire Department.  Kris’s fulltime employment was at the Berlin Foundry, before being hired by the Waushara County Highway Department, starting at the Poy Sippi shop. 

After Kris and Jamie divorced, Kris remained in Poy Sippi working and serving his community, while raising his boys.  In 1989 Kris and his boys moved to Wautoma.  It was here where Kris met Polly, who also had two sons Dan and (the late) Michael.  Kris and Polly were married on September 14, 1991 and together, for the past 30 years, have blended their families and raised their boys.

When Kris moved to Wautoma in 1989, he transferred to the Waushara County Highway Department in Wautoma and retired from there in 2011.  Kris was not good at that retirement thing – he went on to work at Glen Oak Lumber, Weiland Trucking, M.J. Electric (his second retirement in 2017), Evergreen Campground, and the Redgranite Correctional Institution (his third retirement in January 2022).  His fourth and final retirement also came in early 2022, when he retired from his property care business that he started back in 1991.  Throughout the 31 years of caring for various properties, he developed long-lasting relationships with the property owners and was able to work side-by-side with his sons and grandson. 

In his spare-time, Kris enjoyed kayaking and fishing.  He also enjoyed spending time in the woods cutting trees to heat his home, garage, and shop, where he would always keep his equipment in perfect condition.  He was also more than willing to help his sons build and remodel their homes. 

Ready to begin his true retirement years, Kris was faced with his most difficult battle – cancer.  He was diagnosed in March and fought hard, but it proved to be too aggressive, and he was called home on July 31, 2022.   

Kris gave generously to his family and friends.  He was a very hard worker, dedicated to his jobs and the tasks at hand.  He was a man of his word and reliable, ready to help anyone out.  He instilled many great values into his kids and grandkids - Integrity, Honesty, Servant Leadership, Faith, Work Ethic, and how to be Self-Driven. 

Kris will be dearly missed by his wife of almost 31 years, Polly, his kids Shane (Jen) Miller, Brian (April) Miller and Dan (Kalina) Van.  His three grandkids – Jacob, Olivia and Tanner.  His two sisters Mary (David) Hansen and Diane (Mark) Mayhugh.  There are many friends and family that will miss him too. 

Until we meet again – treasured in our hearts you will stay. 

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Friday, August 5, 2022 at Hope Lutheran Church, Wautoma with burial in Hope Lutheran Cemetery and lunch to follow at church. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, August 4 at church from 5PM to 7PM and again on Friday at church from 9:30AM until the time of services at 11AM.