Patricia Elaine Dague Miller, better known to many as "Ma Miller", age 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep from health issues on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at the Care and Rehab facility in Cumberland, WI with her daughter by her side. She was a generous and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who was always willing to help any way she could. She leaves a hole in many hearts and will be deeply missed.

She was the eldest of five children born to Boyd and Mildred (Leader) Dague. She came into the world on December 21, 1936 on the family farm, just west of Cumberland that her grandparents had homesteaded. When she was old enough, she made the 10 mile walk through 3 feet of snow (every day) while going up hill (both to and from) to Woodside Country School to study the "3 R's".

She attended at Woodside through the 8th grade. She then started attending CHS as a freshman. She graduated in 1955. That fall she started college at UW River Falls with a major in English Education. During the summer breaks from classes, she worked as an office employee for Sears Roebuck Co., in Minneapolis. She graduated from River Falls in 1959 with a Bachelor Degree in English Education.

She returned home to Cumberland after graduation and was hired at her old Alma Mater, CHS, teaching English. During the summer break in 1960, she met the love of her life, Eldon James "Biff" Miller from Almena. The first time she saw him, he was showing his buddies how his uncle, who owned the bar, had jumped over the bar to break up a fight. However, his uncle had jumped from behind and landed in the sinks full of water. Despite that, Pat started dating him anyway. Three months later, they were exchanging vows at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Almena on October 29, 1960. There's two versions of the proposal. His was that he asked her to marry him, but if she said no, he was moving to Montana and she'd never see him again. She loved him so much, she couldn't imagine never seeing him again, so she said yes. Pat's version was similar, but she said yes because he owed her $50, and didn't know of any other way to get it back. No matter whose version was true, they ended up sharing 38 years together until Biff's death from lung cancer in 1999.

After the wedding, they started their new life together living in Almena. It was just the two of them until December 29, 1962 when they welcomed their only child, a daughter, that they named Kimberly Annette.

Pat was hired to teach English at Turtle Lake High School in 1963. The summer of 1966, they moved to Turtle Lake. When Kim started school, Pat went from being Mrs. Miller to "Ma" Miller to the students. It started with one student, and the rest is, as they say, history. From then on, even after her retirement in 2001, most students still called her Ma.

Pat was actively involved with extracurricular activities. Many nights and weekends she could be found selling tickets for sporting events and school plays, chaperoning different events, and being the faculty advisor for several different groups and clubs, including the Jr. Class for all of the 39 years that she taught there. One of the responsibilities of the Jr. Class advisor was to oversee and organize the Prom. She had to make sure that in the 5 short days and evenings leading up to the Saturday night dance the "old gym" was somehow transformed into something romantic and unique, using not much more than rolls of crepe paper, staples, lots of creativity and patience, and the occasional headache. She managed to pull it off all 39 years.

Pat enjoyed reading, knitting, embroidery, playing cards, camping, going to the casino, spending time with Kim, and especially snuggling with her fur grandbaby, Raine.

She and Biff were both active members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited. They also went camping just about every weekend with Biff's brother Ed and his wife Judy.

After Biff's death, she moved the camper to a permanent spot at Sandy Pines Resort in Stone Lake. She kept this until the early 2010's, when she decided to sell the camper. She joined the Moon Lake Thresherman's Association in 2002, and was involved in creating the book that was handed out at the annual Threshing Bee. She also held the office of Secretary for 2 terms. She remained a member until her death. Tuesday Nights, she could be found at the Moon Lake Tavern playing Smear, until she became a resident at Cumberland Care and Rehab.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Biff; parents, Boyd and Mildred Dague; brothers, Jerry (Sher) and Doug; in-laws, Fred and Audrey Miller; sister-in-law, Carol (Bob) Coss; and niece, Jody Dague.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Kim Miller of Turtle Lake; sister, Barb (Bob) Dahlke of Menomonie; brother, Jim (Elaine) Dauge of Vermont; brother-in-law, Ed (Judy) Miller and sister-in-law, Linda Dague of Vermont; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and many friends.

Her services will be held on Thursday, September 25th at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Almena. Visitation will be at 4 PM with service following at 6 PM. Dinner will be served following interment at St. Matthew Cemetery.

Kim's last message to Pat is a quote from Pretty Woman, their favorite movie to watch together - "If I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time.”

Last Update: Sep 24, 2025 8:11 am CDT