Joan Lynn Miller (Holler)
Jul 11, 1970 -
Aug 11, 2026
Joan Lynn Miller (Holler) lit up a room with her smile, grace and joyful presence. She was bright, kind, practical, fun, deeply devoted to family and friends, and happy to raise her boys in her hometown. She had clear life rules: do your best, help others, be on time and follow through on your commitments. Above all, character counts. She passed away on Aug. 11, 2026, after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Grand Forks, N.D., Joan moved with her family to Alaska in 1974. She grew up in Wasilla. With two older brothers, she was pulled into adventures and made tougher; she learned to fish, joined hunting and camping trips, excelled in school and was, in her words, a good "utility" player on the girls basketball team.
After graduating from Wasilla High School in 1988, Joan attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, for two years, then graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and management. She joined Deloitte & Touche LLP, a Big Four accounting firm, earning her CPA and spending over five years performing increasingly complex audit work with colleagues and clients throughout Alaska.
In 1998, Joan joined ARCO Alaska and soon met her future husband, Doug, who was visiting from San Francisco. They later began a long-distance relationship, got engaged along Ocean Beach in San Francisco, and celebrated an unforgettable wedding on July 14, 2001, in Wasilla.
Joan and Doug first lived in Foster City, Calif., where she worked as a financial analyst for Applied Biosystems. After their second son was born, they moved to Seattle in 2004 to enjoy the Evergreen State and be closer to Alaska. After five years at home with her boys, Joan returned to her accounting career in 2009 as Controller for the City of Wasilla and later became Finance Director. Joan and Doug made their home in Wasilla, attended Sacred Heart Church and enjoyed living near the Holler family just down the road or across town.
Joan was predeceased by her mother, Linda Holler; and brother, Doug Holler. She is survived by her husband, Doug; sons, Logan and Brody; father, Conrad; brother, Jeff (Lisa); sisters-in-law; brother-in-law; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at 4 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla, followed immediately by a celebration of life at 5 p.m. at the Palmer Elks Lodge on N. Barry's Resort Drive. In lieu of flowers, consider giving to Smile Train or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
