Mary Phillips Obituary
She was born July 5, 1935 in Lancaster, WI, the daughter of Henry and Rose (Atkinson) Leindecker. Mary Lou married Donald Arthur Phillips Sr. on April 21,1956 in Dubuque, IA. They were married 63 years. He predeceased her on August 2, 2018.
Mary Lou and Don spent many years together and during that time Don worked on the house continuously. They enjoyed hunting together and she would be "the dog" to scare the birds away. Mary Lou was employed over the years by the Wagon Wheel, Hanson Fiberglass, Beloit Clinic, and Beloit Memorial Hospital. She had many hobbies and enjoyed crafts, embroidery, crochet, macrame, quilts, circle words and playing cards. Mary Lou was blessed with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. They loved hearing her talk about growing up in Lancaster. Mary also loved spending time with all her family and enjoyed their visits together.
Survivors include her children, Cathy Phillips of Beloit, Connie (James) Alf of Janesville, Donna Williams of Beloit, Donald (Linda Richmond) Phillips Jr. of Beloit, Nancy (Kenneth) Larson of South Beloit, and Steven Phillips of Janesville; grandchildren, James Alf Jr., Deanna (Damian) Rynes, Nancy Ann (Dan) McKee, Kenneth (Zella) Williams, Jennifer (Dustin) Lester, Tyler Phillips, Jacob Phillips, Mary Blair, Shane Larson, and Terressa Phillips; 16 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Richard (Pat) Phillips.
Mary Lou will be missed by all who knew her.
She was predeceased by her parents; daughter, Vickie Lynn; four brothers, Albert, Bill, Melvin, and Bobby; and one sister, Darlene.
Funeral service for Mary Lou will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2026 in the Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI. A visitation of remembrance will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be at Floral Lawn Cemetery, South Beloit, IL.
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2 Entries
Joanne Ducklow
January 16, 2026
I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Mary & Uncle Don and my cousins, Cathy, Connie, Donna, Donnie, Nancy & Steve. Loved all our visits, in Beloit, and from where I lived, in Warrens. Love you all. She sure will be missed by all who knew her.
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2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI 53511
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