(715) 243-5252 |
Evelyn Engebreth Miller, age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease.
She was born to the late Gunnard and Violet (Swanson) Engebreth on December 1, 1945, in Anchorage, Alaska. She lived in Anchorage until she was five. Her father was President of the Alaskan Senate working toward statehood, while her mother raised their six children. They owned Engebreth Hardware. After her father’s sudden passing in 1951, they moved to River Falls, WI, to be near family. Evelyn was a strong believer in God and Heaven. Whenever a sun ray burst from behind a dark cloud, she always said it was her dad shining down from above.
Evelyn met her husband, Donald Miller, while attending college at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Don and Ev married at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls on August 17, 1968, and celebrated their 57th anniversary last summer.
Evelyn’s career centered on education. She earned a B.S. at UW River Falls in English Education and an M.S.E. in Literacy with a Reading Specialist license from UW Superior. She started her career teaching middle school in St. Paul, MN. After their two daughters, Sarah and Rebekah, were born, she enjoyed her time at home with them in Irma, WI, until she became a Professor of English at Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander, WI. The family moved to Rhinelander and remained there for the rest of her career. She taught English classes about literature, writing, and grammar, but her passion was helping learners transcend barriers to reach their goals. Many underserved, immigrant, and first-generation college students earned their degrees because of Evelyn’s guidance and expertise. Later in retirement, Don and Ev moved to Oshkosh, WI to be closer to their daughters.
Evelyn was a kind and joyful person who saw the best in everyone. Her love for family was fierce and constant, her support unwavering. She always made her family feel special through praise, encouragement, and acts of love. She also enjoyed spending time with close friends, who were like family. She was a trustworthy confidante who gathered regularly with friends through potlucks, a gourmet dinner group, and Labor Day trips to Lake Superior.
Books and music played an important role in Evelyn’s life. She had an abundance of books in her home library and would often be found with a story in hand. She also played piano right up to the end, reprising favorite songs such as “Heart and Soul” and “Für Elise”.
She adored walking and being in nature. The family spent endless hours boating and camping in state and national parks. Her screen porch overlooking Samway Lake remained her favorite location, where she could watch songbirds and hear the call of the loons. Each summer, she and Don hosted Camp SamRayVi at their lakeside home for their three grandchildren: Samara, Ray, and Violet. These magical camp weeks brimmed with pedal boat rides, fishing, bonfires, and hikes on their 80-acres of wooded land.
Evelyn is survived by her loving husband, Don; daughters Sarah Miller (Matt Eidson) and Rebekah Krautkramer (Kevin); grandchildren Samara Grover (Ethan), Ray Lauffer (Kailey DeWolfe), and Violet Krautkramer; siblings Karen Jensen, Kristin Engebreth, Roger Engebreth (Lee), Robert Engebreth (Patricia), and Nancy Sander; and 16 nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law Vernon Miller, mother-in-law Palma Miller, brother-in-law James Miller, and nephews Gunnar Jensen and Jesse Miller.
A celebration of Evelyn’s life took place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Bakken Young Funeral & Cremation Services, 805 E. Division St., River Falls, WI. Visitation was also on Saturday from 1-2 pm before the service. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls.
The family would like to thank the kind staff at Lakeshore Manor Memory Care, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, and Moments Hospice.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Research at alz.org, or to your local literacy foundation. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
19 Comments
We will all miss Evelyn. My sister, my friend.
Evie will be missed! She was a wonderful, welcoming, kind friend and neighbor at Lake Samway.
A lovely commentary on a life well lived. I am so sorry to Evelyn’s whole family for their loss. It’s been decades since I spent time with Evelyn but as a kid I certainly adored her and looked up to her.
My sincere condolences
Thanks Cathy!
Always wonderful to see Ev and the whole Miller family. Many fond memories.
Ev was and always will be a ray of sunshine for all who knew her.
Aunt Evie was and is too generous a presence to be fully gone. She lives on in so many of us, and I love knowing that; it helps. Evie’s love of nature, her uniform of book in hand and glasses on her head, her bright, mirthy eyes, always twinkling, are some of my favorite experiences of her. As a child I loved going to visit Evie and Uncle Don’s house in the woods. Evie told me all about Hodags and we went exploring her yard for signs they had been there. I love that she was an adult who still believed in wonder. I will miss how she laughed, her genuine interest in others, and the love she gave to all who called her family or friend. Evie you are so loved. I’ll see you again on the other side of the rainbow. So much love to Uncle Don, Sarah, and Bekah, and all the rest of Evie’s family.
Dear Sarah. My heart breaks with you and your family at your sweet Mom’s passing. Only you and God know the depth of your grief. I’m praying for you, my friend, as you adjust to life without her physical presence. After reading your Mom’s obituary I see her phenomenal light in you. God bless Mrs Evelyn Miller’s legacy.
Angela Byars-Winston
I remember Evelyn growing up in River Falls. In high school she seemed to be good at everything and completely “cool” but still found the time to bother with her much younger sister’s little friends. I take my place among the many who were inspired by her. Thank you Evelyn it was an honor to have known you.
Thanks Jen…
Ev was so kind and welcoming to everyone. It was always fun to visit with her. She was an angel in our midst!
Fly with the angels, Ev!
We will all miss you, sweet Evelina!
Evy was always sunny and cheerful and interested in everyone around her. One of my favorite classmates!
The Engebreth family has always been a special family to my Brown family. Evelyn was a good friend to my sister, Judy. I looked up to her because she was always friendly and kind to me. She was a great person and hers was definitely a life well lived. She will be missed and remembered by many with good memories.
Thanks Deb.
Evie was my good good buddy. And a bonus buddy because she was my sister in law. We raised our children together, compared notes on nutrition, what was & wasn’t best for our families to eat, supported each other with our new babies, the terrible twos. & as our precious children transitioned back into human beings after being not always perfect teenagers. We celebrated together when they made it through college & began to excel in their chosen professions, and marveled over the miracles, love & joys of our grandchildren. Evie & Don mentored us in successful camping & we treasured many campfires with them. Evie enjoyed fishing with us & our fish frys were spectacular. I miss my friend Evie but I’m comforted knowing her memories have returned to her.
Roger, Lee, and family,
Our condolences. God will be with you and lift you up in the days to come. 🫂
Ev and Don and their Family are our family. Ev remains forever in our most cherished memories. There will never be anyone else who can make us laugh and be playful. Love you all. Miss her tons.
Ev touched everyone in our family. Sarah and Rebekah were classmates of Natalie and Wade. Nancy taught Sarah and Tom and Nancy enjoyed wonder times with she and Don in our Gourmet club. We wish the family comfort in this time of great loss.
Add Comment