Phyllis M Markgraf

Phyllis M. Markgraf, 87, of Tomah, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Serenity House. She was born on September 15, 1938, in Tomah, she was the daughter of Harold and Lucy (Frick) Rodefer. Phyllis was a proud member of the Tomah High School Class of 1956.

In June of 1956, she married Tom Westpfahl, and together they welcomed four children: Debra, Connie, Tim, and Sandra. Phyllis began her working career in 1962 joining Fort McCoy, where she served as a management analyst for the Department of the Army. She retired in 1988 after nearly three decades of dedicated service. She later continued working for several years at Lands' End and in customer sales.

On January 10, 1987, Phyllis married Kenneth Markgraf at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Madison. With Ken came his daughters, Donna and Lisa, and together they formed a loving and complete blended family.

Phyllis cherished time spent with family and friends, the summer family get togethers at their cottage on Castle Rock Lake, boating and swimming. She especially loved to travel. She enjoyed many memorable cruise adventures to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Her travels with loved ones took her across the United States, including Colorado, Louisiana, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, New York, and the beauty of Niagara Falls.

Phyllis and Ken would spend 3 months of the winter in their RV, traveling to Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They would convoy with their good friends Pat and Gene Carlson. She also treasured her tour trips abroad, Phyllis and Ken, along with Carl and Doris Frick visited Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Phyllis and Ken traveled several times to the islands of Hawaii. These journeys brought her great joy and created lasting memories she loved to share.

Phyllis was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, where she also participated in the Esther Circle. She and Ken were active members of the Tomah I Divider Snowmobile Club, enjoying the camaraderie and friendships that came with being part of the group.

Phyllis had a gentle and sweet soul and was always kind and generous. She will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Ken of Tomah; children, Debra (Lowell) Prise of Tomah, Connie Westpfahl of Tomah, and Sandra (Dennis) Vlies of Holmen; step daughters, Donna (Norman) Watchpocket of Waterford, MI, Lisa (Shawn) Aeschlimann of Cross Plains, grandchildren, Patricia (Tim) Hayward, Jenny Watchpocket, Kris (Shelly) Watchpocket, Wesley Watchpocket, Joshua Bunnell, Brandi Bunnell, William (Erin) Ryott, Amanda (Chad) Thiry, Amanda (Brad) Bettin, Alison Prise, and Joshua (Erin) McGinnis; 25 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Norman (special friend Joan) Markgraf; Mary Brockman who was like a sister to Phyllis, and many other beloved family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a son Tim Westpfahl; brother, Raymond Rodefer; and a great-grandson Nelson Watchpocket.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, 11:00 AM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Mark Kahrs will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com