Phyllis Ileen “Phyl” Behrens (nee Nitardy) was delivered from earthly life to eternal glory at Linden Heights on Aug. 6, 2016, at the age of 91.
Phyllis was the beloved daughter of Dr. Gotthold Conrad, D.D.S. and Deva (nee Hopper) Nitardy. She was born in Eagle on April 27, 1925, and was raised in Palmyra.
Phyllis was married to Dr. B. Richard “Dick” Behrens, D.C. for 66 years prior to his death in November 2014. She was a devoted mother and will be dearly missed by her children, Dr. Brent (Kathi) Behrens of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Dr. Scott (Esther) Behrens of Neenah; and, Ann Behrens of Waukesha. She was the cherished grandmother of Emily Davies of Bexley, Ohio; Peter Behrens of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Dr. Jake Behrens of Fitchburg; and, Samantha Behrens of Neenah. She was the beloved great grandmother of John, Anthony and James Davies of Bexley, Ohio.
Phyllis is further survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” Manley of East Troy and her family; and by many wonderful and caring friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick, and brother-in-law, Thomas Manley.
Phyllis was a graduate of Palmyra High School, Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a proud sorority sister of Gamma Phi Beta.
Phyllis enjoyed cooking, baking, embroidery, knitting, sewing and antiques. She loved sharing her baked goods with family and friends. She was an avid viewer of the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers, HGTV, Antiques Roadshow and the stock market.
She had very fond memories of the time she spent with family and friends at Lake Katherine and in Door County. She enjoyed foreign and domestic travel with Dick. Their travels took them to 15 foreign countries and on numerous cruises and Elder Hostels. They spent their 50th wedding anniversary visiting their 50th State, Alaska.
Her family, church and friends were the focus of her life. She was a Sunday school teacher and a member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 60 years. She taught preschool at Gray Mare Nursery School until the age of 70. She was a member of the Waukesha Service Club and enjoyed working and buying clothes at the Thrift Shop.
Phyllis was a therapy warrior. Her perseverance was an inspiration to others. She fought the good fight as she battled a severe stroke and numerous other illnesses and injuries over the past decade. She greatly appreciated the support she received from her friends in the Waukesha Stoke Club. She moved to Linden Heights on Leap Day 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed her new friends and the numerous activities offered there.
Visitation for Phyllis will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the 2 p.m. memorial service at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 700 Beechwood Ave., Waukesha. The Rev. Jason Hacker will be officiating.
Memorial gifts can be made to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church (see address above), The Waukesha Service Club, 1444 S. West Ave., Waukesha, WI, 53189 or to any other charity of your choice and may be considered an expression of sympathy.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Douglas Brown, M.D. and the staff at Linden Heights for the compassionate and excellent care they provided to Phyllis.
Cesarz, Charapata and Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For more information, please call (262) 542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary, or to leave a condolence, visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.
