Phyllis A. (Thome) Hanson of Chippewa Falls passed away too soon and unexpectedly on August 28th, 2024, with her loving husband Mike by her side.

Phyllis was born on March 25th, 1949, the youngest child of Pearl (Schmidt) and John Thome. She was born, raised, and lived most of her life in Chippewa Falls, graduating in 1967 from Chippewa Falls High School. As a child, she enjoyed chasing cats and running around on her grandparent’s farm in Tilden. After graduation, Phyllis married and started her family welcoming two girls Lee and then Shannon. Phyllis’ girls were her pride and joy, and she worked hard and sacrificed to give them a great life. When her girls were teenagers, she briefly moved to Sheboygan Falls, WI only to return home to Chippewa Falls in 1985 to be near and care for her mother.

Phyllis met the love of her life, Michael Hanson while working together at Amoco/Pactiv in Chippewa Falls. The two married on October 26, 1994, in Las Vegas and enjoyed 30 wonderful years together filled with love, joy, adventures and appreciation for one another. After retiring from Pactiv in 2013, Phyllis started partaking in activities at the Chippewa Falls Senior Center and the Chippewa YMCA. Phyllis enjoyed participating in yoga, water exercise, and lunch get-togethers with old and new friends.

Throughout the years, she enjoyed adventures with her husband and family, road tripping out west in a RV to raft the Snake River in Wyoming, Washington State to visit her daughter and see the mountains, east to DC to enjoy the cherry blossoms in the spring, motorcycle rides to scenic places, and of course south to Florida to get some sun and meet Mickey Mouse with her grandbabies (just to name a few). During the warm months, Phyllis could be found spending time in the summer sun on the pontoon cruising Lake Wissota. She loved a nice tan, fresh haircut, painted nails, and was always dressed to impress.

Throughout her life, she wore many hats, but her favorites were mom, grandma, and great grandma. “Gphyl” or Grandma, as her grandbabies lovingly called her, were so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend every day with her. She was able in her retirement to care for her grandbabies and even most recently great grandbabies who adored her immensely.

She enjoyed attending all her grandkids and great grandbabies sporting events, recitals and never missed a graduation. Her favorite subject to talk about was her family, as she could not have been prouder of each and every one of them. It was obvious her family was the most important thing in her world, and she gave her love abundantly. She was given the title of family matriarch as she established and cultivated family traditions and it takes a special person to carry that role.

Phyllis was a strong woman who was quick-witted with a bit of spunk. She had a warmness that made others feel special. She was an exceptional baker and enjoyed finding interesting new recipes to share with her family. Birthdays came with your favorite dessert and a birthday serenade always delivered with love. She adored all animals and was never without one to love in her home, especially dogs. She believed wholeheartedly in adopting and saving a surrendered animal, which she did several times throughout her life. She knew every dog in her neighborhood and dog park and loved watching the kennel club dog shows to see all the different breeds.

Phyllis leaves behind her grieving family: husband, Michael Hanson of Chippewa Falls; daughters, Lee (Darven) Miller of Chippewa Falls and Shannon (Jason) Carlson of Baldwin, WI. Grandchildren; Tiffany (Sean) Diesterhaft, Taylor Miller, Alexandra Carlson, Jacob Carlson, and Grace Carlson. Great- grandchildren; Tyler, Hazel, and Elsie Diesterhaft. Siblings: John Thome of Madison, WI., Dennis Thome of East Troy, WI., Kenneth Thome of Evansville, WI., and Mary (Charles) Harling of Osceola, WI; brother- in-law Robert Hanson and Joyce of Tomah, WI., sister-in-law Wally Hanson, Seymour; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is joined in Heaven by her parents; sisters-in-laws, Barbara, Susan and Theresa Thome; mother and father-in-law, Ruth and Marvin Hanson; and brother-in-law, Bill Hanson.

Phyllis’ passing is a profound loss to her family. She was the most amazing daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother in the world. Words cannot express the sorrow felt and how much she will be missed. To know Phyllis, was to love Phyllis.

Please join the family to share stories and memories in a celebration of Phyllis’s life held on Saturday, September 14th, 1-5 pm at Horizons Bar and Grill, 10764 CTY HWY Q in Chippewa Falls. A private service with immediate family will be held at a later date in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Tilden.