Philip Quentin Walz, 89, of Portage, Wis., formerly of Naperville, Ill., and Norwalk, Wis., died peacefully Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Phil was born Nov. 7, 1934, in Norwalk, Wis., the son of Irl and Vera (Dunlevy) Walz. In 1950, he moved to Naperville, Ill., with his mother and sister Karen. Soon after graduating from Washington High School in Naperville, he attended a diesel mechanic school. He worked as a diesel mechanic for a short time. Phil then worked as a laborer for Advanced Construction in Hinsdale, Ill. There, he worked as an apprentice plumber with his now father-in-law, Fred Peterson. Phil married Adele Louanne Peterson on April 16, 1955. Phil then would go to work for Nick Lenert Plumbing in Naperville as an apprentice. He later became a plumber, and in 1967, he started his own plumbing contracting business, Phil Walz Plumbing, working with Adele out of their garage.
In 1977, they purchased and operated Cascade Mountain Ski Area in Portage, Wis., until 2006. Phil has many accomplishments in his career, including building two successful businesses and employing many, along with all six of their children at various times. But what he may be remembered for most is his constantly keeping busy and never sitting down for a rest. He always had a project to do or a place to be. Phil was extremely proud to build Cascade Mountain into a winter skiing destination that Wisconsin and Portage could be proud of. Salmon fishing in Rivers Inlet, British Columbia, visiting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, working on, or in, his sheds, and planning one of his next big projects were among Phil’s most favorite pastimes. He and Adele loved participating in camping clubs, wintering in Florida, and dancing six days per week to Lawrence Welk (his favorite) and polka.
Phil is survived by his loving wife of almost 70 years, Adele of Portage, Wis.; his children, Debra (Scott) Hanes of Naperville, Ill., Judy (Brian) Fedt of Mesa, Ariz., Joyce (Mark) Remington of Lodi, Wis., Steven Walz of Yorkville, Ill., and Robert (Vicki) Walz of Portage, Wis.; his grandchildren, Nancy (Damon) Landry of Lynden, Wash., Rick (Jordan) Walz of Yorkville, Ill., Jeffrey (Bethany) Hanes of Downers Grove, Ill., Julie Hanes of Naperville, Ill., Michelle (Joe Salsbury) Walz of Plano, Ill., Helen (Shayn Luinstra) Remington of Lodi, Wis., Nick Fedt of Bellingham, Wash., Brennan (Casey) Walz of Rogers, Minn., Melissa (Kevin) Knutson of San Tan Valley, Ariz., Becca (Mike) Maly of Plano, Ill., Adam Walz of Portage, Wis., Alex Hanes of Chicago, and Evan (Aileen Weeks) Walz of Portage, Wis.; his great-grandchildren, Dorian, Aidan, Grayson, Mia, Stella, Brayden, Lyllian, Joey, Kenley, Greta, Emmy, Louella, Sawyer, Beckham, Harlow, Torin, and two more coming soon; one sister, Karen (Bill) Murphy of South Lyon, Mich.; and special friends, Rick and Helen Mueller.
Phil was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Walz; his mother and father, Vera and Irl Walz; his brothers, David, Stanley, George Alan, and Roger; and his grandchild, Brittany Lynn Walz.
A visitation was held at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage (www.pmmfh.com) on Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 4–7 p.m. A small service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the little Salem United Methodist Church, 25438 County Hwy. T, Norwalk, WI 54648, with Pastor Francis Hewuse officiating. Inurnment will follow at Wanderers Rest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salem United Methodist Church c/o Building Fund or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful care team at Aspirus Divine Savior who served us this week, including Kaylie, Karin, Todd, Jane, Dr. Nicolai Gerhartz, Dr. lan Coker, Dr. Susan Kreckman, and the rest of the wonderful care team on the second floor that made the family’s grief manageable and bearable. Your compassion and professionalism are greatly appreciated. Thank you to UW Oncology doctors and nurses. And a big thank you to Phil’s special friends, John Konapecki and Lance Larson.
