Phyllis Sakalos

Phyllis was born on April 9, 1929, in Scranton N.D. to Edmund and Clara (Schoen) Dubs. She was raised in New Leipzig, N.D. and graduated in 1947. Phyllis received her bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Mn. in 1954. She taught English and was a librarian in Brewster, Mn., and later Coos Bay, Or. Phyllis married Sam Sakalos on March 9, 1957, in Coos Bay, Or. They made their home in Marquette, Mi. where they lived together for 47 years, until Sam’s passing in 2004. Phyllis continued to live in Marquette until 2014, when she moved to Madison, Wi. to be closer to family.

After living in Marquette for 58 years, Phyllis became a true Yooper and Packer Backer. She loved her daily walks and bike rides with friends along the shores of Lake Superior. Phyllis had special memories of many weekends at the Camp on the Dead River Basin with family and friends and evenings with the very close-knit group of neighbors in Harvey. Her faith was very important to her and she was always involved with church activities. Phyllis was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marquette, and later at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, where she was involved in the Shepherd’s Hands knitting group and the Good Shepherd Clothes Closet. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and word searches and always had a knitting project she was working on.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Sally (Brad) Beinlich of Madison, Wi., and Steve (Kathy) Sakalos of Eden Prairie, Mn.; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Regan of Beulah, Co.; and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of her immediate family is planned for a later date.

Phyllis will be laid to rest next to her husband, in Northland Chapel Gardens in Negaunee, Mi.

Donations may be made in Phyllis’ memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church (Redeemermqt.org), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church/ Clothes Closet or Food Pantry (Gslcwi.com) or Agrace Hospice at (Agrace.org).

Thank you to the staff of The Legacy at Noel Manor and Agrace Hospice Nurses that helped care for Phyllis in her last days. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson FitchburgFuneral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road Fitchburg, WI.