Phyllis Marie Unmacht

We don’t choose when we are born or when we die, but we can choose how we live the dash between the two. It is not about money or possessions. The dash is all about making a difference in the lives of others.

SUN PRAIRIE- Phyllis Marie (Walton) Unmacht passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital as a result of congestive heart failure.

She was born to James and Mildred (Gehrke) Walton on April 3, 1944, in Platteville, Wis. Her baptism took place on April 30, 1944, at Peace Lutheran Church in Belmont, Wis. Phyllis’ parents moved to Dubuque, Iowa, her “hometown.” She had one younger sibling, Robert “Bob” Walton.   

Phyllis married Ronald Unmacht on June 4, 1966, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa. They subsequently lived in Platteville, Monona and Sun Prairie, Wis. Together they enjoyed their family, nature, playing cards with friends, camping, traveling in their RV and visiting all 50 states.

Having children was a dream-come-true for Phyllis. She deeply loved her son, David, daughter Linda, and daughter, Debra. Life centered around her family and their activities. Inner joy was experienced when she witnessed her son and two daughters marry Christian, loving spouses. The arrival of nine grandchildren brought extreme happiness and pride. She enjoyed each grandchild and foster grandchild for his/her uniqueness. Especially cherished were grandparent/individual grandchild trips to Disney World. Playing cards or board games and camping outings with the grandkids created lots of laughs and good memories. No holiday or family gathering was complete without her “awesome deviled eggs” and loaves of pumpkin or banana bread, favorites of the grandchildren.  

Phyllis valued education. She attended Fulton Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Senior High Schools in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating in 1962. Majoring in elementary education at UW-Platteville, Phyllis obtained a B.S. degree in January of 1966. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she earned a Youth Services Certificate from the School of Library and Information Studies in 1988. She took great pride in her three children graduating from college and in her grandchildren’s academic accomplishments. In retirement she dedicated time to tutoring elementary students and coordinating the Junior Great Books Program at C.H. Bird School in Sun Prairie.

Working with children highlighted her careers. She taught at Franklin and Lincoln Schools in Dubuque, Iowa. When her children were school-aged, she resumed teaching with the Title I Program in the Monona Grove School District.  An opportunity arose for her at the Monona Public Library, where she worked as a Children’s Library Assistant for six years before becoming the Children’s and Young Adult Librarian/Assistant Director from 1986 to 1993. She had a wonderful rapport with young children and teens. Her creative library programming resulted in increased circulation of materials and participation in the library’s children’s, young adult and summer programs. The Mayor of Monona acknowledged Phyllis’ contributions by awarding her the 1997 City of Monona Distinguished Service Award. After leaving the public library, she became the librarian for grades K-8 at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Monona. She implemented many positive changes, including automation of the school library.   

Being a survivor of three kinds of cancer, Phyllis was a Reach to Recovery volunteer, providing support to women undergoing mastectomies. She participated in Sun Prairie’s annual Relay for Life and was the 2010 Honorary Survivor.  

As a member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Monona for 34 years, she served on the Council and various committees, and was financial secretary and church librarian. After transferring to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, she was on the Education Board, Church Library Committee and the Mission Encounter Team.

The accomplishment in which she took pride was starting the Reading Is Fundamental Project with the Broadway/Simpson Street Neighborhood Center and the City of Monona. She persuaded churches and other community organizations to support her efforts to provide free books to that area’s low-income youth. For some of the children, it was their first brand new book of their very own. In addition, she incorporated story times to further expand the enjoyment of reading for these children. The smiles and beaming faces that resulted brought reward beyond measure.  

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ronald Unmacht; son, David (Joan) Unmacht of Sun Prairie, Wis.; daughter, Debra (Robert) Prox of Hartland, Wis.; son-in-law, William Dobbe of Rosholt, Wis.; and nine grandchildren, Ashley, Emily and Grace Unmacht; Elizabeth, Nicholas, Jackie and Jordan Dobbe; and Ryan and Briana Prox. She is further survived by her brother, Robert (Sandra) Walton of Zwingle, Iowa; and her brother-in-law, Thomas Feller of Dubuque, Iowa. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Linda Dobbe of Rosholt, Wis. She leaves behind many relatives and friends, including life-long friend, Sharon Fuller. Each of you held a special place in her heart and made a difference in her life.

Phyllis was an incredibly loving and selfless wife, mother, and grandmother.  She cherished her family, and especially enjoyed sharing stories and making them laugh. Phyllis made each of them feel special and loved, turning each moment together into a wonderful memory. As she constantly told them, "I love you to the moon and back!" On behalf of Phyllis, the family would like to thank all of her care team, especially SSM Health at Home, her many doctors through SSM Health Dean Medical Group, and husband, Ron, her devoted lifelong partner and caregiver who was always at her side.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 550 Lincoln Drive in Sun Prairie. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Library, 550 Lincoln Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590 or Relay for Life of Sun Prairie’s Working Partnerships Team (Make check out to American Cancer Society, RFLDANEANDROCKCOUNTY (N4VCJ6) P.O.Box 902 Pewaukee WI 53072 with team name noted so it gets properly credited). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420