ELKHORN-Phyllis Ann Buehl, 93, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Lakeland Health Care Center in Elkhorn, WI. She was born in Janesville, WI, on December 25, 1929, daughter of Phillip R and Goldene V (Bernstein) Zanoni.
Phyllis graduated from Albany High School, Class of 1946. Following graduation, she worked as an editor of the local newspaper, a census taker, and an au pair for a doctor in Monroe, WI. Phyllis was united in marriage to William (Bill) F Buehl, Jr. in August 1949, and they settled just outside of Monticello, WI, on a large, two-home dairy farm with William’s parents. In 1960, Bill and Phyllis purchased the Driftwood Supper Club in Jefferson, WI (later Buehl’s Supper Club) west of Jefferson, WI, on Highway 18, which they successfully owned and operated for 30 years. Phyllis cooked singlehandedly Tuesday through Sunday, specializing in steaks, seafood, Friday fish fry featuring Canadian walleyed pike or Alaskan cod, and Saturday night prime rib. Bill and Phyllis were married for 60 years until his death in May 2009—and the devoted, tender love and playfulness they shared throughout their marriage was beautifully evident to family and friends.
Phyllis loved cooking, reading and collecting cookbooks, and scanning newspaper recipes for new ideas. She baked hundreds of Christmas cookies (usually 10-12 varieties) each year to share with family on Christmas Day. Cookie specialties included her famous holiday cut-outs, chocolate-dipped spritz, lemon “love notes,” and Weather Vane cookies. She also enjoyed creating pasta and vegetable dishes, along with various appetizers and salads.
In addition to her passionate culinary skills—at home and at the supper club—Phyllis was enamored with modern art and impressionism, including Picasso and Monet, as well as the simplicity, asymmetry, and beauty of nature’s trees, clouds, and flowers. Phyllis enjoyed interior design, fashion, shopping, and spending time with family. Trips to Door County. Rollicking rounds of Euchre or Uno. Playing with her grandsons, Christopher and Ryan, and spoiling them! Writing long letters detailing doll collecting ventures and grandchildren’s milestones to her sister, Mary. But above all, she loved spending time with Bill, her beloved sweetheart, who adored her and always found a way to make her smile and laugh. Taking leisurely country drives in the convertible, listening to Dean Martin. Working side-by-side at the supper club. Dining out. Shopping at Marshall Fields. Reminiscing over old slides and photographs. Enjoying trips to Las Vegas and Hawaii with friends.
Phyllis, a classic beauty with a gentle spirit. Her childlike wonder of nature delighted in the wispy asymmetry of clouds, a newly-budded tree, springtime’s songbirds, and her favorite blue hydrangeas. She loved creating something special for others. An eloquent, handwritten note within a birthday card. An array of delectable appetizers and holiday cookies—all beautifully plated. A thoughtfully-chosen and elegantly-wrapped Christmas gift.
Surviving Phyllis are her son, Mark A Buehl (Ann) of Oregon, WI; daughters Rebecca Buehl-Reichert of Madison, WI, and Michelle Buehl of Pewaukee, WI; grandsons Christopher M Reichert (Elin) of Zambia, Africa, and Ryan T Reichert of Delavan; and great-granddaughters Rylie M Reichert and Madison R Reichert of Delavan, WI.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary (Eugene “Skip”) Knudson and Shirley Zanoni (Rita Wrubel), and two brothers, David (Barbara) Zanoni and Phillip “Bud” (Delores) Zanoni.
Special thanks and everlasting appreciation to the skilled, dedicated, and caring staff from Lakeland Health Care Center and St. Croix Hospice including RNs, LPNs, CNAs, chaplain, music therapy, social work/PT—all assisting, throughout her journey, in Phyllis’ physical, emotional, and spiritual health with expertise, professionalism, and love.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date.
_____________________
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning - 1806-1861
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
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