Phyllis E. McCoy

Phyllis E. McCoy, 95, of Holmen and formerly of rural Norwalk passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

She was born Nov. 15, 1921, in rural Ontario to Roy and Hazel (Stout) Parrish. She attended Ontario Grade School and graduated from Ontario High School.

On Sept. 16, 1943, Phyllis married Donald M. McCoy. They operated the family dairy farm in rural Ontario, where they raised their five daughters. Phyllis was a devoted mother, 4-H club leader, and a longtime member and later president of the Ontario Homemakers Club. She worked at Tillman’s Produce in Wilton, first on the assembly line and later, with schooling, became a USDA meat and poultry inspector.

Phyllis liked country music and enjoyed tour bus trips with friends to Branson, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn., as well as several other scenic trips.

Phyllis loved flowers and writing poems, and she was also a talented seamstress. She made quilts for all her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After moving to Bethany Heights in Holmen in 2011, Phyllis enjoyed playing euchre with her new friends. Also, she watched many Brewer games on TV as well as her RFD country music shows on Saturday evenings. 

Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Pat Nelson, Elaine (Glen) Gran, Earlene O’Keefe and Dawn McCoy; a son-in-law, Phil Nelson; her grandchildren, Eric Nelson, Joe (Rae) O’Keefe, Chris (Rani) Gran, Kevin (Aimee) Nelson, Ed (Colleen) O’Keefe, and Kara (Jason) Sommerfeldt; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her daughter, Nancy Nelson; two sons-in-law, Bob Nelson and Bill O’Keefe; a grandson, Curt Gran; her parents; and her parents-in-law, William and Mae McCoy.

A special thank you to the staff at Bethany Heights and Benedictine Manor and to the nursing staff at Gundersen Health System.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Pastor Michael Gjefle will officiate. Burial will follow in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfh.com.

Comments are closed.

  • Linda Lee Smith

    March 26th, 2024
    by

    Linda Lee Smith departed for the journey to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 16, 2024. 


    Rita Jo (Rueckheim) Hammond

    March 26th, 2024
    by

    It is with great sorrow we announce that we lost a sister and friend, Rita Jo (Rueckheim) Hammond. Rita, 62, of Sparta, Wis., passed away Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Mayo Health in Sparta, Wis.


    Mary Wallace

    March 25th, 2024
    by

    Mary Wallace, 79, of Viroqua Wis., died March 21, 2024. She was born to Bert and Lola (Clark) Wallace on Aug. 15, 1944. 


    Danielle J. Fields

    March 20th, 2024
    by

    Danielle J. Fields, 23, of Sparta passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024. She was born Sept. 3, 2000, to Jacci Osmond and Eric Fields in Tomah. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School in 2018.


    Kenneth R. McDaniel

    March 16th, 2024
    by

    Kenneth R. McDaniel, 88, of Tomah passed away Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. 


  • Sandra Ann Collins

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Sandra Ann Collins, 77, an incredibly loving mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away on March 13, 2024, peacefully at her home. 


    Alan Burgess Willis

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Alan Burgess Willis, 84, of Westby, Wis., passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024.  Alan was born Sept. 13, 1939, to Alfred “Fred” and Florence (Lamb) Willis in Whitestown, Vernon County, Wis.


    Linda Lou Zimmerman

    March 15th, 2024
    by

    Linda Lou Zimmerman, 66, of Cashton, Wis., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Linda was born to George and Edna (Brock) Abbenaus on June 27, 1957, in Billings, Mont.


    Patrick Donald Leis

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Patrick Donald Leis, 61, of Westby, formerly of Cashton, Wis., died March 4, 2024, at the Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.


    Kim Ballwahn

    March 5th, 2024
    by

    Kim Ballwahn, 63, of Wilton went home to meet Jesus on March 4, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.


    Ardella Marie Leis

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    Ardella Marie Leis, 89, of Cashton, Wis., passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Ardella was born March 17, 1934, to Joseph and Irma (Schmitz) Schreier. 


  • Archives