Phyllis M. Miller

Phyllis M. Miller, 97, passed away at home on December 28, 2016. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, her parents, Frank & Alice Lannoye; father-in-law Frank and mother-in-law Louise Miller; brothers: Vernon and Edmund; sisters, infant Marian Alice, Vivian, Marjorie and Betty (Onnie); brothers-in-Law: Peter Mandli, Bernard Miller, Richard Miller, Harry Lichter, Stanley Penczykowski, John Gyurina, Robert Burke, William Gursky, Harry Fischer; sisters-in-law Betty Miller, Lucille Lichter, Dolores Burke, Patricia Lannoye, Joan Lannoye and Juanita Lannoye.

She is survived by her daughter Pamela (Mark) Reichelderfer, son Robert; grandchildren James Tye, Matthew (Catherine) Tye, Abigail (Shawn) Vaughn; great grandchildren Spencer, Sophia, Emma, Jack & Eloise; sister Beverly Mandli and brother Richard Lannoye, brothers and sisters-in-law Frank (Dolores) Miller, John (Helen) Miller, Geraldine Gursky, Glady Penczykowski, Jean Fischer, Joyce Gyurina and Vivian De Groot; and eighty-two nieces and nephews.

Phyllis married Norm at St. Edward Church in 1943 and they were married for 70 ½ years. She was a proud graduate of Horlick High School where she sang in the Lorelei Chorus. She served the USA during World War II as a “Rosie the Riveter,” making transformers at Webster Electric that were used in tanks manufactured by Massey Harris. She and Norman operated their own farm in Mt. Pleasant, raising tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes and grain. She and Norman started Durand Driving Range & Miniature Golf in 1957, semi-retiring in 1983, but working at and overseeing the business until its close in 1996. She was a longtime member of St. Edward’s Church, active in the Women of St. Edward and numerous volunteer and fundraising activities. In retirement, Phyllis enjoyed her family, gardening, cooking, current events and traveling throughout Wisconsin and in winter, Florida.

Phyllis will be remembered as a compassionate and hardworking wife and mother who treasured her marriage and was devoted to her family. She was a devout Catholic whose faith was very important to her. Phyllis had a warm and inviting personality, took pride in the family’s farm produce and the environment of the family business, which helped many people enjoy the game of golf. She was proud of her Irish heritage and the assets of the Racine community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church 1401 Grove Avenue with Rev. Allen Bratkowksi, and Rev. Richard Molter concelebrating assisted by Deacon Russ Missurelli. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Saturday from 9-11 am. Private interment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. The family has suggested memorials to St. Edward’s Parish or to St. Catherine's High School Foundation—Memo: Norman & Phyllis Miller Scholarship.