Phyllis J. Kratzke, 84, of the township of Morris, Shawano County, passed away at her home on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2015.
Phyllis was born on July 22, 1930, in the township of Little Wolf, Waupaca County, as the daughter of the late Joseph and Esther (Swenson) Kolosso. She graduated from Marion High School in 1948, and remained friends with many of her classmates the rest of her life. Phyllis was united in marriage to Wilbern “Willie” Kratzke on April 7, 1951, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Big Falls. The couple lived near Chilton, where Phyllis was active with her church ladies guild and was a member of the Chilton VFW Ladies Auxiliary before moving to rural Tigerton. She was a current member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tigerton, where she enjoyed singing with the church choir and served with the LWML.
Phyllis loved her family and was an excellent wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and even great-great-grandmother. Some of her favorite times were spent just driving the countryside with Willie and her children. Phyllis also enjoyed fishing trips with Willie, flower gardening, and had a talent for remembering everyone’s birthday. She will be remembered as a servant, both to her Lord and to all of her family and friends. No one left her home hungry, as all were treated just like family. The love and patience she gave to her family will live on with them forever.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Wilbern “Willie” Kratzke; children, Kathy (Robert) Kleinhans, New Holstein, Steven (Kristine) Kratzke, Stevens Point, Neal (Pamela) Kratzke, Wausau, Carlene (Ken) Ditter, Fond du Lac, David (Sandy) Kratzke, Plover, Daniel (Gail) Kratzke and Paul (Natalie) Kratzke, Wittenberg; grandchildren, Kevin Kleinhans, Kari Jo (Martin) Grant, Sara Ann (Matt) Suwalski, Heidi Lou (James) Radish, Eric (Patty) Kleinhans, Brian (Danielle) Kratzke, Tom Kratzke, Andrea (Jason) Foster, Ashley (Dustin) Kratzke, Jenny (Rich) Rupp, Jill (Eric) Ploeckelman, Katie (Craig) Scheunemann, Nick Kratzke, Luke Kratzke, Elizabeth (Andy) Tweitmeyer, Nicole (Luke) Ruesch, Joshua Kratzke, and Molly, Bradley and Matthew Kratzke; great-grandchildren, Aidan, George, Brycen, Stuart, Logan, Blake, Gavin, Madison, Lincoln, Olivia, Serena, Ryan, Brooke, Harper, Brylee, Megan, Lexi, Braxton and Jane; great-great-grandson, Mason; sisters, Esther “Mae” Heling, Clintonville, Shirley Buch, Neenah, and Darlene (Harold) Schreiber, Embarrass; and sisters-in-law, Louise “Toots” Ellefsen and Maxine Kolosso, Clintonville.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Joseph “Buddy” and Anthony; a sister, Jennie Zimmer; brothers-in-law, Tom Ellefsen and Bob Buch; and a sister-in-law, Anna (Jerry) Schulz.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tigerton with the Rev. Matthew Uttenreither officiating. Interment will follow at Big Falls Cemetery in Big Falls.
Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Marion is assisting her family with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated for the St. John’s Lutheran Church Choir and LWML.
www.eberhardtstevenson.com.
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