Née Valoe

Born Oct 14, 1929 to Arthur and Rose Valoe. Found peace on April 8, 2024 at 5 pm in her Franklin home at the age of 94 after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Kenneth Kazmerchak; her siblings Ralph Valoe, Lorraine (the late Raymond) Gruener, Beatrice Kazmierski, Elizabeth Valoe, and Joe Valoe; her parents, aunts and uncles, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her loving daughters Karen Kazmerchak-Schick (George Schick) and Karla (Christopher) Walther; grandchildren Benjamin Schick, Curtis Walther (fianceé Taylor Van Zeeland), and Candace Walther (fiancé Juan Bernal); Step-grandson Cameron Walther (Brooke Riccelli); devoted caregivers Susan and Merly; sister-in-law Patricia Valoe; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

After Phyllis graduated from high school she worked in data processing at Patrick Cudahy Company. She and Ken married after his graduation from dental school and she helped him build his dental practice as his bookkeeper and biller.

As a young wife she was part of a bridge group that continued to play together for over 50 years. Before she had her own children, she was a doting aunt and "aunt" to numerous other children.

After her daughters were born, she devoted herself to raising them and later caring for her grandchildren.

Phyl was the consummate volunteer as a "Helping Mom" at Robinwood school, delivering Mobile Meals, providing dental care resources for the underprivileged through the Greater Milwaukee Dental Auxiliary, cooking for the St. Ben's meal program, and most especially as a Girl Scout leader.

Her Girl Scout troop was incredibly active. In addition to the usual hiking and camping her troop traveled to Washington, DC and the World's Fair in Knoxville TN. Phyl served as the Tri-Town Neighborhood Chairwoman. She received the Saint Anne Award for Catholic Girl Scout leaders for her significant contribution to the development of the faith of her scouts. Along with her longtime co-leader, Jan Hoge, she developed an "end of summer" troop camping weekend for the entire neighborhood which gathered hundreds of girls from the Tri-Town Neighborhood at Camp Alice Chester for a weekend of crafts, sports, song, and sisterhood. This tradition continued for many years after her retirement from scouting. It was a real tribute when many of her former scouts joined her for her 90th birthday celebration.

Phyllis enjoyed participating in sports. She played baseball, bowled, and loved to golf. She golfed in the Whitnall Park Thursday Women's League first with the 9-hole group when the girls were young, then with the 18-hole group. She played in many tournaments and traveled with her golf friends. The highlight of her golf career was a Hole-in-One on the 13th hole at Dretzka Park.

The Kazmerchak Family traveled extensively visiting many historical sites throughout the US. Phyl and Ken cruised through the Panama Canal and traveled with Pat and Ralph Valoe to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and multiple National Parks in both the US and Canada. After Ken passed Phyl continued to enjoy travel with her daughter and nieces with several more trips to Europe, Mexico, and to visit relatives across the US.

Karen and Karla wish to give a special "thank you" to her friend Jean Michalek who brought her communion during her illness and to the people that made it possible for her to stay in her home until her last day: her caregivers Susan and Merly, her neighbors Eric and Dennis, Cindy, RN, and the entire the Aurora at Home Hospice team.

It was Mom's greatest wish that her family and friends remember her as the active, vital person that she was prior to her illness.

Visitation at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 9306 W. Beloit Road, Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. Funeral Mass 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Hunger Task Force appreciated.