Phyllis J. Brown

MADISON – Phyllis J. Brown, age 77,passed away at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, due to pancreatic cancer. She was born on April 15, 1934 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, the daughter of Peter Valier Zeimet and Dorothy Marguerite (Armbrecht) Zeimet. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1952. Phyllis worked for the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health, Management Services, and Community Services for 32 years, retiring in January 1995. She married Stanley Eugene Leaf on June 12, 1954. The marriage ended in divorce in 1965. Phyllis married Howard Marvin “Brownie” Brown on Aug. 23, 1971, in Rockford, Ill. There were no children from this union. She was very active with Brownie in the antique and collectible car hobby. Phyllis was the secretary of two car clubs for several years. She worked many hours to realize some profit at car shows, to enable the Madison Vintage Auto Club to contribute money to various charities. Phyllis was also an avid genealogist and spent many years researching and organizing family trees. She loved to sew, play cards and bingo. Out of necessity and love, Phyllis was always present in her two grandchildren’s lives, helping their mother raise them, and getting them through their tough teenage years. Without interruption, she continued to give both Amanda and Sean financial and emotional support until the end of her life. Phyllis is survived by her beloved daughter, Lori Marie Leaf McGinley of Madison; two beloved grandchildren, Amanda Lynn (Michael) and Sean Patrick (Julia) McGinley; five very special great-grandchildren, Erika May Grunewald, Michael and Jaxon Streiff Sean and Hayden McGinley all of Sun Prairie; two sisters, Carol (Richard) Reese of Madison and Marilyn Thompson of Waunakee; three brothers, Roger and James Zeimet of Madison, and Peter J. (Marguerite Ware) Zeimet of DeForest; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving is an aunt Geraldine “Toots” (Fanzo) Kyle; and two always supportive friends, John and Esther Speropulos. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Stan on Aug. 21, 2007; her loving husband, Brownie on Aug. 9, 1995; her father, Peter on May 26, 1991; her mother, Dorothy on Feb. 20, 1999; her brother-in-law, Jack Thompson on Nov. 21, 2008; an aunt, Viola Schmidt on Mar. 13 2010; sister in-law, Ione Ziemet on Nov. 19 2010; and a great-grandchild, Mackenzie Elizabeth Streiff on Oct. 30, 2009. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Wed. Feb. 1, 2012. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Wed. Feb. 1, 2012.