Phyllis Dorothea (Ladd) Graves

MADISON-Phyllis Dorthea (Ladd) Graves, age 88 , of Madison, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. She spent her final days surrounded by loved ones before she took her final journey home. She was born on July 19,1923, in Dodgeville, the daughter of Herbert D. and Leota (Noble) Ladd. Phyllis lived with her parents and brothers, Chad and Herb Jr., on a farm near Standard, and moved to another farm near Mt. Hope where two brothers joined the family, Dave and Jon. Phyllis attended Dodgeville High School for two years, then transferred to Cobb High School and graduated with her older brother, Chad in 1940. After high school, Phyllis moved to Madison where she attended Madison Business College. Phyllis worked as a secretary for the Celon Company in Madison for six years where she met her husband, Robert L. Graves. They married on Nov. 16, 1946, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, and have been Life Members of Bethel Lutheran Church. Phyllis later worked for the City of Madison Health Department, Madison General Hospital, and the Madison Metropolitan School District where she retired, while raising their four children. Phyllis was active in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and was secretary of Schenk School PTA. She enjoyed crocheting and made many afghans for her children and grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Robert; four children, Diane Graves of Appleton, Donna (Steve) Parks of Middleton, Daniel (Vicki) Graves of Madison, and Debra (Kyle) Derke of Bloomington, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Brad (Paula) Abplanalp, David (Jessica), Michael and Ross Parks, Jennifer (Travis) Brown, Megan, Nicole, and Paige Derke; six great-grandchildren, Dominic Abplanalp and his soon to be baby brother, Berkley, Carter and Grant Parks, and Cameron and Ariana Brown; brother, David Ladd; sister-in-law, Marion Ladd; many nieces; nephews; and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Leota Ladd; three brothers, Chadwick, Herbert Jr. and Jon; nephew, Scott Ladd; and sisters-in-law, Lois Mead Ladd, Lois Peterson Ladd, and Betty Starr Ladd. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Media Ministries. Cemetery: Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Media Ministries. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding.