Phyllis Leach

Phyllis J. Leach, age 88, of Menomonie, WI passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012 at Heritage of Elmwood Nursing Home.

The former Phyllis Jean Spaeth was born Sept. 8, 1924 in Fond du Lac, WI to Jacob and Estella (Creaser) Spaeth. She was raised in the Downsville area and graduated from Durand High School in 1942.

Phyllis married Howard Leach on Dec. 16, 1943 in Menomonie. Together they farmed in the Town of Dunn for many years, until retiring.

Phyllis was a member of Louisville Lutheran Church and New Hope Lutheran Church in Downsville where she also belonged to the Ladies Aide. Phyllis enjoyed gardening, decorating cakes, baking and canning. She loved her family and will be sadly missed.

Phyllis is survived by her four children, Beverly (LaVerne) Gifford of Menomonie, Carol (Jerry) Biesterveld of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Gary (Diane) Leach of Menomonie and Linda (Bill) Hanson of Elk Mound; 13 grandchildren, Sandra (Chris) Cisler, Deborah (Kenneth) Campeau, Daniel Gifford (Tammy), Jennifer (Kevin) Fournier, Kyle Biesterveld (Melissa), Scott (Kim) Leach, Julie (Dan) Stoltenow, Cindy Wolbert, Jason Leach (Stephanie), Justin Leach, Jay (Stephanie) Hanson, Lewis Hanson, Adam (Emily) Hanson; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ronald (Karen) Spaeth of Menomonie; a sister-in-law, Donna Spaeth of Baraboo, WI; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by parents, her husband Howard and a brother, Jacob Jr. "Sonny".

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 at New Hope Lutheran Church in Downsville with Pastor Steven Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in the Town of Dunn, Dunn Co. WI. There will be visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.