Phyllis J. Maurer, nee May, age 74 of West Bend passed away on Saturday July 23, 2011 at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on September 10, 1936 in West Bend to the late Steve and Elsie (nee Mishler) May. She attended St. Mary's grade school in Barton, and graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1954.
On August 23, 1958, she was united in marriage to Donald C. Maurer at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception church in Barton.
Phyllis worked for the First National Bank in West Bend after high school and the first couple of years after her marriage. She then took the years required off to raise her children and care for her family. After her children were grown, she worked as a cook at St. Joseph 's Hospital in West Bend for 13 years and also for a short time at Sunset Senior Home in West Bend before retiring. Phyllis and Donald also operated the former Brunners Orchard since 2001.
She always put her family first, enjoyed spending time, doing things for and with them, sewing - making many of her children's clothing when they were growing up, crocheting, knitting, crafts, cooking, baking and canning, watching the Brewers and Packers play, taking the day to drive up to the Amish near their trailer in Mauston, reading - especially Amish-related books, doing crossword puzzles and word searches, Genealogy - which she worked on extensively tracing her family's history, and mostly, the daily visits and spending time with (who she referred to as) her special "Grand-dog" Angel.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of almost 53 years Donald, daughters, Eileen Hanrahan and her son Shannon of West Bend, Lori Maurer and her daughters Heather Beilke and Mary Schmidt of West Bend, sons Terry Maurer of West Bend, Gary (Amy) Maurer and their children Devan and Garrett of Kewaskum, Kevin Maurer and his sons Nathan, both of West Bend and Jordan of Virginia. Brothers and sister-in-laws Donald "Buzzy" (Beverly) May, Fred (Nancy) May, and sister-in-law, Beverly (Ray) Ertl all of West Bend, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Steve and Elsie May, and mother-in-law and father-in-law Floretta and Leo Brunner.
Funeral services in remembrance of Phyllis will be held on Wednesday, July 27th at 7:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend with Chaplain David Stone officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of the service. Burial will be Thursday at 10:00 am in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to the Hemophilia Foundation are appreciated by the family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Julie LeCleir, Dr. Adil Jadoon, Dr. Michael Subichin, Dr. Sai Ravi Pingali, as well as the other doctors, nurses and staff who cared for Phyllis and were there to support her family at Froedtert the last 3 weeks of her life. Also the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Joseph 's Hospital in West Bend who cared for her prior to her transfer to Froedtert.
We sat beside your bedside, our hearts were crushed and torn; we did our best to the end, until we could do no more. In tears we watched you sinking, we watched you fade away; and though our hearts were breaking, we knew you could not stay. You left behind some aching hearts, that loved you most sincere; we never shall and never will forget all that you have done for us throughout those many years. Love, your family.