Philip L. Grefsheim
April 20, 1931 - April 19, 2016
Obituary
STOUGHTON-Philip L. Grefsheim, age 85, of Stoughton, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. He was born on April 20, 1931, the son of Paul and Olga (Shellestad) Grefsheim. He grew up in Stoughton and graduated from Stoughton High School in 1948. Phil managed a National Food Store for 12 years and then went to school to become a plumber. He worked in the plumbing trade until his retirement in 2000. Phil married Joan Everson on June 18, 1955. He loved to travel, read, work jigsaw puzzles and spend time at the Olson Farm. Phil was a NASCAR, Cubs, Badgers and Packers fan. He attended races in Sun Prairie every Sunday night for over 60 years. Phil valued his many good friends and coffee buddies who were always there for him. He was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church and the Masonic Lodge. Phil is survived by his wife of 60 years; his two daughters, Mary Gilbert and Jill (Charles) Sheffler; grandchildren, Mari (Brad) Grandprey, Melissa (Matt) Dahlen, Gail Gilbert and Bobby Gilbert; three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Liam and Chase; two sisters, Beverly (Oscar) Forton and Paula Thims; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sister, Virgene Ausse; and son-in-law, Terry Gilbert. Funeral services will be held at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m., on Friday, April 22, 2016. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Stoughton Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Hwy. 51 @ Jackson St.
(608)873-4590
Events
Visitation
Fri Apr 22, 2016 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
First Lutheran Church (Stoughton) • 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, WI 53589
Service
Fri Apr 22, 2016 @ 11:00 AM CDT
First Lutheran Church (Stoughton) • 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, WI 53589
Photos
No photos of Philip have been shared yet.
Memories
MS
Mike Smith
Other •
Sorry for your loss Chuck Jill Mari and Melissa and to the whole family
CE
C. Keith Edison
Other •
My sympathy to Beverly, Oscar and all of Philip's family. I enjoyed the visits when I worked for Oscar many years ago.
Keith Edison
CR
Chris Rogers
Other •
Mary Gilbert, so sorry to hear about your father's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
JR
Jamie Rued
Other •
Jill, Chuck, Joan and families,
May God's love be in your hearts now and always and may God grant a place of Light and Peace to Phil. My prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Jamie Rued
JO
jim offerdahl
Other •
Phil - the uncle I never had:
Neither one of my parents had a brother, so I never had an uncle. I remember Phil like the uncle I never had. He was my dad's best friend.
When I was a little kid, we moved away from Stoughton and when we went "home" for a weekend, the first thing my dad did was to pull into the Mobil station where Phil worked. You could tell the by way they greeted each other that they were best buds. Phil, the uncle I never had.
Our families vacationed together many summers in central Wisconsin. Wells Resort and Melody Waves Resort. Going back to Stoughton to get the Grefsheim's dog Morgan, because Phil missed him so much. Walking on the beach with Phil and Dad. Hearing Phil say (many times) "Mary, go get me another beer!". Phil, the uncle I never had.
I did an internship in Madison between my junior and senior years in college and lived with my grandparents who traveled during the week. The Grefsheims (and of course Natvigs as well) were very welcoming to me that summer. Mid summer, I got a new Thunderbird (my dad met me halfway between Stoughton and Beardstown to drop it off). When I got back to Stoughton, I had to show off my first ever new car to someone, so I called Phil and he came right up to my grandparents house to take a look at it. Phil, the uncle in never had.
When we were in Stoughton, we always went to visit Phil and Joan. What fun times we had at their house. I particularly remember (I don't know how I remember!) one Easter weekend when the temperature was in the 80s. We got to the Grefsheim house mid-afternoon and drank beer on their patio/porch. I can't remember how many trips we made to the liquor store. Phil kept telling Jill and me: go down to the store and get some more beer. I felt sorry for the people in the pew in front of us the next day , Easter Sunday. Phil, the uncle I never had.
To Joan, Mary and Jill - I am so sorry for your loss. We all will very much miss Phil.
Phil - thanks for being the uncle I never had. Rest in peace and say hi to my Dad.
Jim Offerdahl
WS
Wendi Speigle
Other •
Our family lived next to the Grefsheims for many years. Phil was always so nice to all of us. I remember many times sitting in the basement with my Sister and Mari, watching movies. My Mom and Joan were coffee buddies too. Miss them and so sorry to hear of Phil's passing, even this many years later.