Phyllis J. Davis

Phyllis (Lindner) Davis, born December 12, 1946, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Dementia.

Phyllis graduated from high school in Ontonagon, MI, and then attended business school. She also competed in the Miss Ontonagon Pageant. She then moved to Milwaukee, WI, to work at First Wisconsin Trust on North Water Street. She became established in Milwaukee, singing in the choir with the Summerfield Methodist Church, where she also found friendships that lasted through the years.

In 1965, she met her loving husband Jim, a student at MSOE, in Milwaukee, WI. They met at a young adult church group event. During the event, Phyllis hung a candy cane from the rearview mirror of Jim’s car. Using the candy cane as an excuse, Jim called her the next week and they went on their first date, followed by a second date the next day at the Mitchell Park Domes Conservatory. Their relationship grew, and they were married on August 12, 1967. Following their time in Milwaukee, Phyllis and Jim moved to Cedarburg, WI, and then in May of 1972, they moved to Ripon, WI. Phyllis and Jim were members of Immanuel United Methodist Church. In the mid 1990’s up until 1997, Phyllis worked for the Oshkosh Northwestern. After retiring from the Oshkosh Northwestern, she enjoyed spending time with friends for morning exercise and coffee. Phyllis was an amazing wife to Jim, mother to three daughters, grandmother to 3 boys and 2 girls.

Phyllis had various hobbies. She was a seamstress, famously making many dresses for her daughters over the years, and became an active quilter. She loved to socialize with friends and family. She was passionate about cooking and baking. She made beautiful wedding cakes for family and friends. Many of the gingerbread houses and sleighs, with life like details, were displayed for Dickens of a Christmas in Ripon, WI. Phyllis loved to participate in bowling in Ripon over the years as well. She loved to go on road trips with Jim. Their honeymoon was to Pennsylvania to see friends, and the return trip was through lower Michigan into Upper Michigan and included a stop in Canada and then home. Another favorite trip for her was going to see cousins in Valdosta, GA. Phyllis always loved animals. Throughout the years, many cats and a dog were part of the family. And, she of course, was a Green Bay Packers fan!

On behalf of Phyllis, Jim, Jen, Sandy, and Kate, we want to thank Dr. Longo, the SSM Hospice Team, and our extended family at the Barrett House, including “Wilson” the cat, in Ripon. This journey was as unique and spicy as Phyllis / Mom and your care, support, patience, kindness, compassion, laughter, and resilience were a game changer that helped, guided, and supported all of us. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you. Special thanks to Melissa Clarke. You’ve been a part of our lives for so many years and this journey crossed our paths again. We are so very grateful to you for your care and support to Mom and us, and of course, your amazing hugs. We appreciate you, we thank you, and we are so happy that you are part of our family. Your daughter Allison adopted Mom as “Grandma” right away after meeting her and our family grew again. You will always be family to us.

Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, James “Jim” A. Davis of Green Lake, WI; daughters, Jennifer (Dean) Schmuhl of Fairwater, WI, Sandra (Patrick) Cronin of Ripon, WI, and Kate (Tyler) Lambert of Washburn, WI; and grandchildren, Alyssa (fiancé, Austin Lopez) Schmuhl of Portland, ME, Brevin Schmuhl of Ripon, WI, J.J. Cronin, Daniel Cronin, Ansleigh (Minnie Phyllis) Cronin all of Ripon, WI. She is further survived by her sister, Jackie McLaughlin of CA; as well as many nieces; nephews; and one godson.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Christine and Donald Lindner; parents-in-law, Arthur and Luella Davis; and sister, Judy Hoppe.

Visitation for Phyllis will be held from 9:30 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971.

A memorial service for Phyllis will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the funeral home, with Pastor Mel Henrichs officiating. You may view a livestream of the service at 11:00 am by visiting this link LIVESTREAM. Memorials in her name may be directed to the “Wilson” the cat fund at Barrett House, 632 Hilltop Lane, Ripon, WI 54971, or Alzheimer’s Association, WI Chapter, 620 S. 76th St., Milwaukee, WI 53214.