Phyllis Mary Zaharias

Phyllis Mary Zaharias, age 86, of Mountain, WI, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025 at Lakewood Assisted Living. Phyllis was born in Milwaukee, WI on May 24, 1939, to Leo and Phyllis (Smigelski) Galaszewski. She was one of eight siblings in a close-knit Polish family on Milwaukee's southside. She married Florian "Floyd" Zaharias on May 9, 1959, at St. Josaphat Basilica in Milwaukee. They had an amazing 62 years of marriage marked with love, fun, and adventure. Phyllis worked alongside Floyd as they ran their own businesses from The Amber Drive-in to Supreme Golf, a thriving golf business for nearly 30 years. They raised two children, Gregory and Linda.

Along with her sister Bernice's family, Phyllis and Florian shared a property on Lower Island Lake in Mountain, WI since 1963. It was only the start of now four generations of family time spent on Lower Isle. They loved hosting Galle family reunions up north and enjoyed cocktail hour down by the swimming hole – a dedicated time with snacks and refreshments filled with conversation, music, and a Scrabble game or two. Phyllis learned to play the accordion at an early age and played at many family events. She enjoyed listening to all kinds of music, especially Sunday morning Polka Time. She also learned to play guitar as an adult. In addition to music, Phyllis enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, building jigsaw puzzles and playing Scrabble. Phyllis and Floyd retired early in 1993 and escaped the big city to live on Lower Island Lake. Their retirement days were spent enjoying the beauty of the Northwoods and lake life. They made many dear friends and loved to play sheepshead. Phyllis enjoyed her Wednesday morning golf league in summer, and her weekly ladies' lunch and sheepshead card club. Phyllis was a member of McCauslin Lioness and the Red Wheeler Red Hatters. When asked at Thanksgiving what she was thankful for she responded simply, "Lower Isle" as it embodies everything that Phyllis treasured – family, peace, and beauty.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Gregory (Barbara) Zaharias and Linda (Joseph) Denz; grandchildren, Katie (Paul) Hanke, Julie (Taylor) Brown, Joshua (Alison) Zaharias, Dustin (Karly) Denz, and Michelle (Kyle) Probst; great-grandchildren, Levi and Violet Hanke, Claire and Paisley Brown, Aurelia "Franny" and Ira Zaharias, Kylie Doehrmann, Logan and Oliver Denz, and Cecelia Probst; siblings, Connie (Joseph) Stepe and Jerome (Pat) Galaszewski. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; parents, Leo and Phyllis Galaszewski; siblings, Richard (Genevieve) Galaszewski, Bernice (Chuck) Stone, Leo Galaszewski, Louise Peterson, and Ronald (Betty) Galaszewski; son-in-law, Richard Scarpace.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Lakewood Assisted Living for the devoted care they provided Phyllis.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at St. Mary's of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lakewood from 9:30 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am with Father Praveen Pamisetti officiating. Phyllis will be interred at Lakewood Forest Cemetery beside Floyd. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations to the family will be used for the Richard V Scarpace Memorial Scholarship.