Linda Louise Miller

Linda, in life and love.

Linda Miller, 67, died Sunday August 13th 2023 at her home in Lakeville, MN. There will be a small and private memorial service at a later date in WI.

Linda Louise Miller, daughter of Foster and Jean Swanke, was born December 22nd, 1955 in Milwaukee, WI. She was the middle of three children. Her siblings are Rick Swanke and Donna Swanke.

She would always say how proud she was to be a Rainbow Girl and how it helped her become the beautiful spirit that she grew into. Her early loves were art, singing, and dancing. Her passion for art led her to attend the University of WI - Milwaukee as an Art Major where she also met her first husband, Richard Evans. Her artistic passion endured so strong that she kept painting and crafting until her passing. If you didn’t have a knitted blanket from Linda, you knew that one was already on its way.

Although she spent many years as a flat sorter in the USPS, she always needed to dance. Her passion for dance led her to teach part time at Gayle’s Dance studio for many years, instructing young tumbling toddlers up to teens. Linda’s art of motion then transitioned into martial arts, which led her to competing in many tournaments as a triple brown belt for Rufus Karate. This then led to be called to teach at the same dojo.

Years later, Linda met her second husband, Robert Miller. They co-owned the White Thunder Wolf trading company. Many native art, crafts, and music were sold and traded. Both were renowned for making various drums and shakers. Their mutual passion led them to move to Sedona, Arizona where she helped with their new store, Wolf Trading, and began working at an assisted living center. She really enjoyed the southwestern lifestyle, making many beautiful paintings along the way.

Robert’s retirement called them back to WI, but this time to Viola, WI where they lived in the first school house of the area right off of the Kickapoo river. There was plenty of gardening, chores, and homestead enjoyment. She really prided herself on sustaining four acres of organic vegetables that were certainly blue ribbon worthy. Many more canvases and gourds were graced with Linda’s brushes as the Driftless area brought to her a true sense of happiness and calm.

Once retired, Linda moved closer to her son, Matthew Evans, and his family, Kelly and Oskar Shomper to Lakeville, MN. As it was during the pandemic, she didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the Twins Cities as much, but that didn’t stifle her artistic cravings. There was always an easel up and a knitting project on the couch. She was beloved in her community. Known by her neighbors to be walking with her dog Mandy, talking about her grandson Oskar, and giving presents to all the neighborhood kids on special holidays.

Linda will always be missed and always remembered in spirit and light. She didn’t go without leaving her sage advice: always howl at the moon, talk to the crows (they might have something to say), and don’t be afraid to just try. Her passion led her to many places and touched many hearts.

In lieu of flowers, there are two memorials available. Linda’s dog Mandy is being taken care of through Grey Faces of MN (http://www.greyfacerescue.org/donate-options). Linda was always a kind giver and steward of the Readstown Library in WI (https://readstownlibrary.wrlsweb.org/).