Joanne A. Miller

Joanne A. Miller, 82, of Fargo, ND, died Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo, ND.

Joanne Angeline DesJardins Ambuehl Miller was born November 14, 1933, to Ernest and Regina Usselman DesJardins, in Felton, MN. Joanne was the youngest of nine children. After she graduated high school in Felton, Joanne attended Moorhead State Teachers College now Minnesota State University Moorhead where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Her first years in the classroom were spent in Ada and Dilworth, MN. In December of 1954, Joanne married Charles D. Ambuehl of Ada, MN – they were married for 21 years. Joanne began teaching for Moorhead School District in 1962, at Thomas Edison Elementary, retiring in 1991. In February of 1976, Joanne married Vernon W. Miller of Fargo, ND. Joanne had an incredible passion for her role as an educator; even after her retirement, she actively continued substitute teaching for several years.

Retirement allowed Joanne more opportunities to spend time with her beloved grandchildren, to winter in Weslaco, TX with family and friends, and to continue her enjoyment of reading and writing. A significant travel experience for Joanne included the time she and her two older sisters visited the grave of an older brother who was killed on the beaches of Normandy, France during World War II. Joanne will always be remembered as a loyal friend, loving mother and grandmother, gardening enthusiast, and a devoted woman of faith.

Joanne is survived by her husband of forty years, Vernon; daughters Denise Arthur Johnson, West Fargo, ND; Lisa Chase, Brooklyn Park, MN; and son Gregory Carol Ambuehl of Fargo, ND. Grandchildren: A. Corey Amy Johnson, Christine, ND; Lacey Marthaler, Valley City, ND; Jordan Chase, Brooklyn Park, MN; Juliane Colby Chase-Wilson, Minnetonka, MN; Danielle Ambuehl, Fargo, ND; and Sarah Ambuehl, Fargo, ND; and a great-granddaughter, Avery Marthaler, Valley City, ND. Joanne is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Jan DesJardins and Evelyn DesJardins, a brother-in-law, Donald Kaspari Sr., many nieces and nephews, and four step-children and their families – Steve Miller, Kansas City, KS; Cheryl Candelaria, Albuquerque, NM; Kevin Wendy Miller, Fargo, ND; and Gregory Miller, Kansas City, KS.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, a granddaughter, Lauren Ambuehl, and a step-son, Jeff Miller.

Visitation: Tuesday, March 8, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with prayer service at 7 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m., in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, West Fargo, ND.

Interment: St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.