Philippine Katherine DeCaluwe, nee Garbade, age 95, of Jackson, peacefully joined the love of her life, Earl DeCaluwe, on Saturday, February 12, 2011.
She was born on February 27, 1915 to the late George and Magdelena (nee Hassmer) Garbade. After graduating from West Bend High School in 1932, she went on to graduate from Mayville Normal School. Phil taught for the Groth School District from 1934 to 1936. On August 21, 1937, she was united in marriage to Earl DeCaluwe at Friedens Peace Church in Jackson. Phil worked alongside Earl on their farm until he retired in 1977 due to asthma complications. While working in the fields each day, she still made a hot and delicious meal at night. She also enjoyed being the unpaid secretary and accountant for the farm. She was a great example of a committed wife and she journaled every day. Her wish was to live all her life at her residence in the town of Polk, but passed away at Cedar Community Timber Cove in West Bend where she became a resident on November 17, 2010.
Phil did volunteer work at Cedar Community, was President of the Jackson Homemakers Club, and was a lifetime member of Friedens Church (currently New Hope UCC of Jackson) where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She helped bake for most church events until the 1990s. She was a great survivor of melanoma cancer. Phil loved having a big garden and enjoyed canning and baking. Many remember her for her stollens and fruitcake. When she had free time, she loved embroidering, mainly on pillowcases and kitchen towels. Phil also enjoyed bowling, square dancing, playing sheepshead and traveling with Earl, family and friends.
In her earlier years, Phil was grateful to her devoted nephew, Jim, her niece, Joan and wonderful neighbors, Judy, Don and Renee, Ray and Mary Ellen, and many friends and family who visited. In her later years, she loved eating (especially sweets) and looked forward to the annual Pork Chop Dinner at her church. Phil enjoyed reading her daily devotions, listening to music, and playing bingo and solitaire. The last five years, her great-niece Kim cared for her daily and was thankful for Phil's other private caregivers who gave her love, respect, and compassion the other 18 hours a day: Erika, Kerri, and Rosie, along with Linda who did her laundry and made special meals and treats for her. There were many other caregivers over the years; Meals on Wheels, Home Instead, Horizon, Gemini Cares, Comfort Keepers, Visiting Angels, Cedar Community for two months, and for her final month, Cedar Community Hospice. Thank you, everyone! Philippine is survived by her nieces, Joan (Ralph) Kraussel, Ruth Garbade, Roseanne, and Margo DeCaluwe; her nephew, Jim Garbade; her great-nieces, Katie (Larry) Liebel, Kim (Dan) Krier, Jennifer, Jessica and Jodi; and her great-great-niece and nephew, Katelyn and Kyle Krier.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl; her toddler sister, Elizabeth; her two brothers, George and Theodore Garbade; her sisters-in-law, Gladys Garbade, Melinda Garbade and Marge (Law Lester) DeCaluwe.
Funeral Services in remembrance of Philippine will be held Thursday, February 17th at 4:30 pm at New Hope United Church of Christ, 4360 Jackson Drive, Jackson with Rev. James Hill officiating. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 2:30 pm until the time of the service. Burial will be in Friedens Cemetery in the town of Jackson on Friday at 10:00 am.
Phil gave to so many charities over the years, so if desired, memorials in Phil's name can be given to a favorite charity of your choice or New Hope Church in Jackson.
Phil's great-niece, Kim, will be forever grateful to the many caregivers for their loving care as well as Pastor Jim who kept Phil in prayer and gave her communion, her many friends and neighbors who gave so much love and support over the years. May God Bless each and every one of you as you continue your good works and know that even when "Thank you" is left unsaid by the sick or elderly you are so appreciated!