Phyllis J. (Hansen) Zeinert passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the age of 79, surrounded by her family, after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Phyllis was born February 19, 1937, in Fond du Lac to the late Harry and Genevieve (McCullen) Hansen.
Phyllis explored many careers during her life from telephone operator to long time housekeeper at Theda Clark. However, nothing suited her more than being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her caring and kindness was demonstrated by the countless number of hours she spent helping not only her family, but everyone she encountered. In return for her lifelong commitment to kindness Phyllis will now enjoy a never-ending guilt free bowl of ice cream in Heaven.
Phyllis married Leonard "Red" Zeinert February 16, 1957, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne where she was a long-time member. They were married 47 years prior to Leonard's passing in 2005.
Phyllis is survived by her children: Jeff (Terry), Appleton; Jim (Kim), Medina; Tamara, Larsen; David, Pittsville; Darin (Julie), Larsen; Timothy, Menasha. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Scott, Ryan (Celia), Nicole (Reed) Schettl, Alissa Olson, Jeremy (Tasha), Ashli (Matt), Taylor (Kraig) Kranzusch, Jesse, and Mechayla; great-grandchildren: Evan Olson and Keller Schettl... and her special dog Peanut. Phyllis is further survived by her brother, Donald Hansen, Oshkosh; and many other family and friends.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard "Red" Zeinert; daughter, Debra; brother, Harold; sisters, Dorothy and Lucille, as well as her parents.
A visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday, December 3, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Sr. Pam Biehl officiating. Burial will be in the Clayton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in Phyllis' name.
Phyllis' family would like to thank the staff from ThedaCare Hospice especially, Loraine, Judy, Jeanie, Kathy, and Ellen. Phyllis' family would also like to thank the 5 South nursing staff at Theda Clark. Phyllis' children would like to thank Alissa for everything she has done for their mom.
If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfuneralhomeinc.com.
"Mom, your selfless devotion to your family and each of us will forever be remembered. We will always love you." Jeff, Terry, Scott, Taylor
"Kindest, sweetest, most loving Mother, Grandmother ever. We will miss you." Love you, Jim, Kim, and Jesse
"Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you, until we meet again. Thank you for everything, Mom. I Love You." Tami
"Goodbyes are hard, but I will see you again. Thank you for all you've taught me." David
"My mother taught me several things in my 49 years of life. Be kind, say please and thank you. Hold doors open for others but the one thing that I follow religiously...I have to fold "Hospital Corners" on my bedding no matter what. My greatest honor though was to be able to call her my Mom." Timothy
"Grandma was simply one of the kindest, gentlest and most loving people I've ever known, and it was a wonderful gift to have her in my life." Ryan
"Granddaughters grow a bond with their grandmothers; a bond that cannot be torn apart by anything. A grandmother will walk along with them through it all. Help them from the highest points of their lives, to their weakest. Grandmothers may pass, but the memories they leave behind, will last forever. I love you Grandma." Alissa
"If there is one thing I learned from my grandma, it's to never give up and to forgive those around you. The greatest life lessons I have learned. Thank you Grandma. Love you." Ashli
"Love you Grandma & Miss you." Love, Evan