Phyllis Royce Henkelman Wanke

Phyllis Henkelman Wanke, age 97, of Appleton, formerly of the Correll area, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 in Appleton Area Health –Care Center.  Due to current guidelines, a private burial will be held in Appleton City Cemetery.

Phyllis Royce Henkelman Wanke was born April 22, 1923, at home, in Arichoke Township, the daughter of Ralph and Elly (Swenson) Maynard. She was baptized May 27, 1923 at Trinity Lutheran Church-Artichoke Township and was confirmed May 27, 1937 in Odessa. In 1941 Phyllis graduated from Correll High School. After high school, she attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Upon completion of college in 1943, Phyllis taught school in Huron, SD, Big Stone City, SD, District #52 in Kandiyohi and Kindergarten in Correll. On March 23, 1947 she was united in marriage to Alvin Henkelman. This union was blessed with 48 years together and five children: June, Bonnie, Kitt, Arlin, and Alvin.

Phyllis and Alvin farmed near Correll until his death in 1995. She also worked for the Ortonville Canning Company and B&H Electronics in Appleton for many years. In her younger years she was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Correll, where she taught Sunday school and was part of the LWML. While living on the farm, the coffee pot was always on and goodies were on the table for neighbors passing by!

On November 13, 1998 she was married to Thomas Wanke Sr. Phyllis and Tom made their home in Appleton, where they were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. In her early retirement years she was an active volunteer with Home-to-Home in Appleton. Phyllis liked to garden and to decorate her yard, she was an excellent baker, enjoyed cooking and canning; loved to entertain; and most of all cherished time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Phyllis moved to the Clinton Care Center in November, 2012, where she loved to play Bingo. In November, 2019 she moved to Appleton Area Health-Care Center.

Phyllis passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 in Appleton Area Health –Care Center. She attained 97 years and 17 days of age. Phyllis is survived by her children: June Hanson of Duluth, Bonnie (Jacob “Junior”) Danielson of Correll, Kitt (Mark Paulson) Olson of Appleton, Arlin (Bonnie) Henkelman of Moorhead, and Alvin (Lorraine) Henkelman of Lakewood, CO; 12 grandchildren: Chris (Tracie) Hanson, Ryan (Angie) Hanson, Jeff Danielson, Alicia (Doug) Schliep, Chastity Glomstad, Cassandra (Jeremy) Johnson, Curtis (Amy) Olson, Corey (Kari) Henkelman, Sara (Brad) Schenck, Hattie Henkelman, Alvin Henkelman and Josh (Rachael) Henkelman; 27 great-grandchildren; twin sister, Doris Foesch of Olivia; brothers-in-law: Vernon (Irene) Henkelman of Appleton and Dale (Joyce) Henkelman of Willmar; five step-children; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin O. Henkelman in 1995 and her husband, Tom Wanke Sr. in 2012; her parents, Ralph and Elly Maynard; four sisters: Faye (Leon) Allpress, Arliene (Carl) Anderson, Audrey (Ole) Neubauer, and Shirley (Jack) Schwartzkoph; her grandson, Shawn Henkelman; and her grandson-in-law, James Glomstad.

Blessed be the memory of Phyllis Royce Henkelman Wanke.