Danielle Miller

Danielle Marie Miller, "Dani," born April 6, 1991, was unexpectedly lost to us due to natural causes on September 6, 2025. She was 34 years old.

Dani was a life-long Madison East-sider, until her recent move to Aurora, Colorado. Dani was a proud graduate of Malcolm Shabazz City High School, and a welcoming and familiar face waitressing at Fair Oaks Diner. Upon moving to Aurora she was a personal aide and companion.

Dani leaves behind her 13 year old son, Victor; sisters, Ashlei Miller (Brian Martinez), Sabrina "Kat" Valencia (Mache Crean Valencia), identical twin sister Danica Sikazan, and youngest sister, Lola Henschke; her parents and their partners share the pain of their loss: Father, Gray Miller (Natasha Bounds); Mother, Marivic Valencia (Michael Zentner); and step-fathers Chris Lechner, Jeff Henschke, and Dave Wysocki. Dani also leaves behind aunts and uncles:  Marinette Oftedahl (Paul Glowinski), Kristina Duchrow (Jeff Duchrow), Laura Miller, Chesnye Gardner (Mark Gardner) and Josh Peters (Elizabeth Peters), Martin Lechner, and grandparents Bruce and Elizabeth Oftedahl, Kent and Mary Miller, Chyrel Peters, and Hedda Lechner, as well as niece and nephews Tember, Tavi, and Harvey. Not to mention innumerable cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and waves of friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents 'Lola' Victoria Oftedahl, 'Grandma Pat' Patricia Liebig, Manfred Lechner, Darryl and Rebecca Miller, George & Marie Rasmussen, and Beulah Nelson.

Dani's passions were books and music, writing, art and fashion, and exploring. She was forever with her head in a book or putting pen to paper, while blasting Hamilton, with Moisha, her rescue pittie, bouncing around her feet. The family extends their deepest gratitude to her Aurora family, Martha, Teffin, Jake, Ruby, Jess, and know Moisha will continue to thrive in their care.

When she wasn't doodling or bringing the house down belting out Broadway tunes, she was out exploring the nooks and crannies of life. Dani was an avid caver, camper, climber - sometimes with rope, sometimes not. If she could climb it, she would. And she did. And, not content to scrabble amongst the constraints of land, Dani took to the skies in her quest to seek and grasp life. As often as possible she would scale abandoned buildings, balance on bridges and ladders, and dance her way to the stars.

She stayed grounded in her love for her son, Victor, and the joy he brought to her world. A world that came to include a burgeoning faith, bolstered by her recent baptism into Christianity. She was welcomed by the New Beginnings non-denominational congregation in Aurora, as she embraced her spiritual journey.

Please join us for services as we lay Dani to eternal rest.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison.  Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the funeral home and also from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday.

To view Dani’s obituary or to share a memory, please visit:  www.ryanfuneralservice.com.