SPARTA - Anna “Irene” (Van Kirk) Miller, 76 of Onalaska, passed away Monday, February 26th, 2024 at Hillview Healthcare Center in La Crosse, WI. She was born September 14th, 1947 to Thomas and Josephine (Sargent) Van Kirk in Sparta. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1965.
In 1966, Irene married Dennis Johnson. They had one daughter, Wendy, and later divorced. Irene remarried in 1982 to Robert Miller. They also later divorced.
Irene worked for many years at Spartek, and then later retired after 19 years with Kwik Trip. She loved her job as the first “secret shopper” for Kwik Trip and was very proud of that. She was always reminding us that she had to find all of the stores using real maps, before there was such thing as google maps.
Irene enjoyed traveling and would drive all over the state to see fall colors and waterfalls. She also enjoyed taking trips with family. One of her favorite trips was going to California with Wendy and Candis, seeing San Fransisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park. She was known for baking wonderful cut-out cookies and awesome pies, most of which she gave away. She was a very generous woman.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Geraldine Ebert, one brother Gerald Van Kirk, one nephew Steve Ebert, and one special aunt Emma Rueckheim.
She is survived by her daughter Wendy (Candis) Johnson of Onalaska, granddaughter Kelsey (Mike) Kroner of Holmen, step-grandchildren Casey (Sam) Bowen of Iron Mountain, MI and Austin Hayes of Onalaska, WI, and one nephew Brian Ebert of Sparta.
She will be sadly missed by family and friends, but she assured us that her spirit will return for a visit!
Family and friends are invited for a visitation from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
