Phyllis E. Baltz, 83, of Mauston and formerly of Clifton died Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Fairview Nursing Home in Mauston.
She was born June 2, 1931, to Harry and Laura (Bredlow) Budde at the Hillsboro hospital. She was baptized in the Christian faith on June 21, 1931, and confirmed July 8, 1945, both at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Hillsboro High School graduating class of 1949.
She was united in marriage to Lloyd Baltz on June 25, 1949, at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on South Ridge. He preceded her in death Sept. 6, 1995. They lived and farmed in the town of Clifton. Phyllis was a devoted wife and mother, helping on the family farm as well as being employed through the years as a teacher’s aide at the Kendall Grade School, a certified nursing assistant at Fairview Nursing Home in Mauston, a legal secretary at Carmichael Mubarak Law Office in Tomah, and a loan officer at Westland Savings of Tomah, from which she retired.
Phyllis was a member of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Indian Creek, where she joyfully served her Lord, teaching his lambs in Sunday school, working with the Ladies Aid, and singing in the choir. Phyllis loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as playing card games and doing other activities with her family and extended family. The gift of her smile made other people smile.
She is survived by a son, Robert L. (Ruth Anne) of West Salem; four daughters, Mrs. Kathryn (James) Lunde of Elroy, Mrs. Constance (Rev. Conrad) Prell of Hillsboro, Mrs. Lori (Daniel) Laper of Pardeeville, Wis., and Mrs. Lisa (Richard) Sullivan of Kendall; 15 grandchildren, Rob Baltz, Rebecca (Patrick) Horihan, Shannon Dickman and Dana (Craig) Spychalla, Michelle Lunde, Jennifer (Andy) Wohlrab, and James (Angie) Lunde, Bryan (Becky) Prell, Elizabeth, and Nathan Prell, Jason (Tiffany) Laper, Jacob (Cassie) Sullivan, Jonathan (Amber) Sullivan, Ethan (his fiancee Taylor Miller) and Eliscia Sullivan; 23 great-grandchildren, Trenton, Taylor, Teagan, Seth, Luke, Jessica, Dalton, Katelyn, Kirstin, Olivia, Lillian, Camden, Aeryn, Joshua, Gage, Hailey, Austin, Corbyn, Hudsyn, Bryson, Brentnal, Logan, and Harley; two expected great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Carole Joyce; a son-in-law, Pete Joyce; and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 17, at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Indian Creek. Pastor Paul G. Heiderich will officiate. Burial will be in South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall and from 10 a.m. until time of the service on Thursday at the church.
Online condolences may be sent to sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
