Obituary: Phyllis (Thompson) Wambold

BELLEVILLE - Phyllis M. Wambold, age 70, of Belleville passed away at her home on Monday, Nov. 1, 2004. Phyllis was born on Aug. 9, 1934, in Pardeeville, the daughter of Phillip and Fern (Humphrey) Thompson. Phyllis lived in California, New Mexico, Alaska, and Wisconsin, from young adulthood and settled in Madison in her teenage years. She attended Madison Central High School. Phyllis was involved with many social as well as business and community affairs. She was past president of the Insurance Women of Madison, and attended many of their regional conventions throughout the Midwest. She was past president of the Green County Legal Secretaries Association. Phyllis moved to Belleville in 1965, and was involved in many things. She played on the old Fischl's ladies softball team, bowled on and off for several years. Phyllis loved shooting pool and played for J & M's ladies pool team for several years. She volunteered her time and was an ambulance driver for a short time for the Belleville EMS. She was past president of the Belleville Library Committee. Phyllis ran for and was elected twice as a trustee for the Village Board, serving four years on the Board, as well as the Belleville Police Committee. Phyllis played cards for the Reallee Awful Card Club (The RACC) since they began 20 years ago. She enjoyed this immensely. Phyllis was known as "YR" (Your Reporter) and wrote for the Belleville Recorder about local news, as well as Belleville Meanderings, as Jack Adams would like to say to her. Her newspaper columns were read and commented on so many times she got into a little trouble with her opinions. Phyllis loved animals and all wildlife. She and her former husband, Bruce, were charter members of the Dane County Wildlife Rehabilitation section of the Dane County Humane Society. They saved and relocated many raccoons and squirrels over the years. It was always a labor of love even if it took many hours of tender care and no sleep. Phyllis loved to read, work crossword puzzles and play on her computer. Phyllis is survived by a daughter, Gwen (Randy) Keehn of Belleville; a son, Edward "Butch" (Diane) Peschl of Belleville; two step-children, Steve Wambold of Sun Prairie and Krystal (fianc, Jeff Turner) Wambold of Madison; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jim) Otte, Travis Keehn, and Kylie and Tanner Peschl; a great-grandchild, Riley Miller; a great-grandchild-to-be "the baby, Otte"; and her golden retriever, the lovely Elizabeth. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mitzi Thompson; and stepmother, Elsie Thompson. Relatives and friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at the BECKER-BEAL FUNERAL HOME, 212 Evarts St., Belleville, where a memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Becker-Beal Funeral Home is serving the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 3, 2004