Phyllis May Mittelstadt

Mittelstadt, Phyllis May (nee Drescher), formerly Phyllis May Cheyne, born to Eternal Life on January 25, 2026, at age 97 years, after a short illness.

Born on February 21, 1928, in Milwaukee to Elmer and Louise Drescher, Phyllis was a woman of boundless curiosity and resilience. A 1945 graduate of Wauwatosa East High School, she was a lifelong learner who proved it is never too late to achieve a goal, returning to school to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 1994.

Phyllis’s professional life was spent in the business office of Concordia University, but her heart was in her community and her crafts. She was a gifted needlecrafter, skilled in everything from sewing and knitting to intricate embroidery. Every Christmas, her grandsons still hang the stocking she needlepointed for them when they were born. Her kitchen was a place of legendary warmth, and she was known by all as a baker extraordinaire—most notably for her famous butterhorns.

A woman of deep service, Phyllis recorded books on tape for vision-impaired students and volunteered with the Audubon Center and Mequon Nature Preserve. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life; she was an active member and volunteer of Memorial Lutheran Church in Glendale for nearly 52 years. Her love for music and discovery continued through her years with the Joy Singers, the School for Seniors in Whitefish Bay, and countless Elderhostel trips across the country.

A resident of Glendale for many years, Phyllis moved to Alexian Village of Milwaukee in 2007 where she lived until her death. While at Alexian, she made many friends and continued her volunteer service, including as a “Green Thumber,” tending to the Village’s plants.

A 30-plus year breast cancer survivor, Phyllis lived by a philosophy she hoped to share with others: "Take nothing for granted. Life does not come with guarantees, but it does come with a lot of surprises. Enjoy the good; endure the bad. There is usually light at the end of the tunnel." Her personal motto remained her guiding star: "I have been so blessed; I hope it was to be a blessing to others."

Phyllis was the beloved wife of the late Marlin Mittelstadt and the late Robert Cheyne. She was the loving mother of Michele (Mike Nolder) Cheyne, Robyn (Eric) Frauen, and Mark Cheyne. She was the cherished grandmother of Alex and Evan (Alicja) Hahn. Phyllis was known affectionately as “Gigi” by her great grandchildren, Lucyna May and Teodor Clayton Hahn. She is further survived by her stepchildren, Janet (Thomas) Bray and Leanne Mittelstadt; her step-daughter-in-law, Grace Michaud; and step-grandchildren Catherine Sass, Andrea McCartney, Sarah Rodemeyer, Susan White, and Amanda Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Violette Jahnke and Carol Wagner; her brother, Gerald Drescher; and her stepson, Steven Mittelstadt.

A celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held on her birthday, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 7701 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale. Visitation: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM; memorial service: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM; reception at the church: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Memorial Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.