Phyllis M. Jentz

On December 4, 2023, our Triune God summoned into eternal bliss, the soul of His servant, Phyllis Jentz, from her home in West Salem, after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Phyllis Mary Ella Bungert Jentz was born on March 8, 1927, to Elsie and Alfred Bungert, in Ellington Township, Wis., near Appleton. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church where she met and married her life-long love, Earl Jentz.

Before marriage, she worked at Zwicker Knitting Mill, Appleton.  A life-long farm girl, she farmed in the Town of Center with Earl, only four miles from her home farm.  Milking cows, gardening, tending farm animals, fieldwork and feeding farm workers were part of her daily routine.  Having studied the organ at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, she almost single-handedly served as organist at her home church for over 48 years. Phyllis was socially active in organizations in the area. She belonged to Trinity Lutheran ladies’ aide, serving officer roles throughout her life. Always up for crafting, she belonged to clubs with many friends that enjoyed her company.  Fox Valley Lutheran High School Ladies Guild occupied cold winter evenings. The Jentzs’ bowled in a couples’ league for over 30 years. Phyllis was a master seamstress, producing complicated and expensive drapery for a local designer.  This marvelous woman was a thoughtful, caring, compassionate Christian awaiting her reunions in heaven. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren looked on her with respect, honor and love. All have been blessed with her presence, love, discipline and humor.  Upon a courageous move to West Salem in 1996, Phyllis and Earl frequently enjoyed the company of kids and their families in church, on the river and at the table.  Earl passed in 2000 at the young age of 72 years.  Mom’s subsequent volunteer work at the Good Steward Resale Store is a testament to her kind and caring spirit.

Phyllis is sadly remembered by a daughter, Julie (Roger) Wagner, two sons Wayne (Judy), their children Christopher (Jill) Mish, and their children, Isabelle and Olivia;  Jeremy (Kerri) Jentz, and their children Colby and Paige, Bruce (Ginger), their children Tara (Chad) Johnson, and their children Aiden and Sadie, and Christa (Derek) Canady, and their children Carter and Maren, and Phyllis’ great-grandson Jackson Burns. Her four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren were always in her prayers and thoughts.  She is also survived by her brother, Fred (Bonnie) Bungert and brother-in-law Ken Coenen.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Dan Mish, sisters Lois Coenen and Joan (Kermit) Coenen, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Betty and Lee Dobberstein.

Private family services will be held at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, led by the Rev. David Leistekow. She will join her husband, Earl, at Christ St. John Cemetery, West Salem.

A very special thank you to the team at Gundersen Hospice for the outstanding care and support during her journey home. Kind, tender and professional in-home care was provided by the team at Comfort Keepers.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, La Crosse.