Phyllis Hirn

Phyllis M. Hirn, 98, Wausau, WI, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Pride TLC, Weston WI. She joined her beloved husband Frederick Hirn, Sr. who preceded her in death on November 10, 2009. Phyllis was born July 8, 1926, in Omro, WI, the daughter of the late Willis and Margaret (Rank) Young.

Phyllis attended Oshkosh Teacher’s College in 1944-1948, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Geography. She taught Geography and History at Escanaba Junior High School, Escanaba, MI, where she met her future husband Frederick (Fred) Hirn, the love of her life. They were married on September 8, 1951.

Besides spending precious time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Phyllis loved to play bridge, cribbage, canasta, Phase 10, and when no one was around you would find her playing solitaire or crossword puzzles and Sudoku! Phyllis and Fred had many years of great memories with their card groups. Phyllis loved gardening and took great pride and meticulous care of her yard and Hosta beds.

In her retirement years, Phyllis and Fred loved to golf and traveled around the state of Wisconsin to various golf courses. She was also very strong in her faith and was an active member of the Church of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. She assisted with the soup kitchen and funeral meal preparation for many years.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Jean Denfeld, sons Fred, Thomas (Polly), James Hirn, son-in-law Guy Gustafson, and daughter-in-law Mary Hirn; grandchildren Mark (Lisa) Gustafson, Kristen (Adam) Tuttle, Erica (Matt) Wilhite, Peter (Kelly) Hirn, Carrie (Taylor) VanderSloot, Rebecca (Dan) Snyder, Matt (Sarah) Hirn and Mitch Hirn; great grandchildren Michael, Benjamin, Stella, and William Tuttle, Mason, Levi, and Wyatt Hirn, Kane and Benson VanderSloot, Liam, Rory, and Finn Snyder, Isaac and Theodore Hirn.

Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Fred, daughter Mary Gustafson; son Charles Hirn; son-in-law Mark Denfeld and Cordell Barnes (life partner of James). Her nine siblings, Cleve Young, Olive Young, Ruth Raddatz, Etrel Haedt, Ethel Tank, Virginia Hoffmann, Delores Fredricks, Kenneth Young and Joan Pagel.

A visitation for Phyllis will be held on Friday, February 28 at Church of the Resurrection, 621 North 2nd Street, Wausau, from 9 am until the time of the service at 10:30 am.  Burial will follow the service at Restlawn Memorial Park.  Please look below to join us via livestream.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice in Phyllis’s name.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pride TLC, Erica and Shaynia from St. Croix Hospice and Dr. Noel Sonnek, for their compassion and care for Phyllis.

Brainard Funeral Home, Weston, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements.