Phyllis Anne Mader - spunky, loving, and a woman of strong Catholic faith took her journey to heaven Friday August 2, 2024 at the age of 84 after a long battle with cancer. She was a hardworking, proud woman, who loved God, and her family, above all else.

After graduating from Athens High School, she married her most handsome man and love of her life Mel Mader and eventually moved to Marathon City, WI. In the 1980's they would venture into the Ginseng growing business, where she worked until their retirement in the late 1990's. They shared 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Together everything was possible. They enjoyed dancing, poker playing/ casino trips, family baseball and volleyball games, water skiing, traveling, week-ends "up north" and their faith. They were the glue that always brought the family together. Phyl enjoyed spending every day with Mel and they only spent a few days their entire marriage away from each other. That is TRUE LOVE!

That union of families was a match made in heaven. Phyl and her 9 siblings joined the Mader 7. Some of her fondest memories are enjoying life with her brothers and sisters whom she considered some of her best friends. She is survived by sisters/brothers MaryAnn Nowicki, Helen.

and Steve Bogachyk, Chris and John Delago, Bernice Manhardt, Joe and Jane Nowicki, Ed and Mary Nowicki, Rick Nowicki and sister in laws Joyce Mader and Coletta Mader She was preceded in death by her parents , Joseph and Stella Nowicki, mother and father in-law Theodore and Ester Mader, sister Terry Schwartz and brothers/sister in-laws Vernell Calmes, Teddy, Jim, Eugene, Vernon, and Jerry Mader.

They designed and constructed their family home in 1970 in Marathon City. This is where they doted on and lovingly raised children - Tony Mader and Stephanie Mader (Dan Holvick). She taught them to sew, host the best parties, to select quality cloves for tea making or the right grapes for her homemade wine, to love Jesus and most importantly, how hard work, honesty and compassion can make you succeed in love and life.

Phyl had a passion for her faith, wine making, cocktail parties, playing cards, gardening and could create or sew anything.

Gardening and cooking is something she enjoyed with her 5 grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by Bobby Frahm, Emily Mader-Holvick,. Hawk Mader Holvick, Zak Mader and Hannah Mader.

She was known and loved by so many for her kind and compassionate spirit and her spit fire personality. She was the hostess with the mostest and made everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. Volunteering was something she firmly believed in and spent countless hours giving back to the community, especially at St. Mary's Church and School in Marathon City. When she wasn't doing that she was busy attending every activity her grandchildren were in.

Services will be held Sunday August 11th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marathon City. Visitation 12 p.m. Mass 2 p.m.

Following mass a burial for Melvin AND Phyllis Mader will follow at St. Mary's cemetery, Marathon City. Everyone is welcome to come and share a meal, a memory, and a beer/wine at Rib River Ballroom by Accentu following the memorial at the cemetery.

"I am with Jesus, happier than I've ever been" Phyllis Mader.

Phyllis Anne Mader

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com