Mary Phipps

Mary Phipps, age 84, formerly of Brillion, passed away on Tuesday morning, March 5, 2024 at her daughter’s home.

Mary was born on August 23, 1939 in Aniwa, WI, daughter of the late Louis and Margaret (Wilhelm) Resch. She was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School. On October 3, 1959 she married Elmer Phipps at St. Michael Catholic Church in Whitelaw. He preceded her in death on January 26, 2022. Mary was first and foremost a homemaker and farm wife. Once all her children reached school age, Mary made desserts for Michiels (now Cobblestone) and was a librarian for St. Mary/St. Patrick Catholic School in Reedsville. She was a member of various organizations in the area including the Homemaker Association and The Christian Mothers for Holy Family Parish. Mary also volunteered at two nursing homes in the Reedsville area. She enjoyed baking, gardening and helping with farm work, especially feeding and watching the chickens and ducks. Mary saw it as a privilege to be able to raise a family and loved being together with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her children: William “Bill” (fiancée Cindy) of Manitowoc, Shirlee (Ron) Kohlbeck of Kellnersville, Mary (Pat) Timm of Brillion, Janet (Jim) Fischer of Brillion, Steven (Debra) of Stockbridge, Sarah Greuel (fiancé Tom) of Mishicot and Christine (Andrew) Novak of Kiel; 24 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one sister: Margaret “Margie” Gwidt of Howard; one brother-in-law: Walter (Orlene) Phipps of Glenbeulah; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Elmer; her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Walter and Alma Phipps; grandchildren; her siblings: Harry (Anna) Resch, Louis (Dorothy) Resch, Norman (Mary) Resch, Dorothy (Jim) Preston, Joe (Bernice) Resch; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Lila (Kenny) Schuette and John Gwidt; and other relatives.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Tom Pomeroy with burial at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Reedsville.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. led by Deacon Greg Van Thiel. The visitation will continue Monday morning at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Online condolence may be made.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Mary’s granddaughter, Ashley Phipps, Aurora Hospice and Christian Home Servants, especially Cindy, for all the care shown to Mary and her family.