Phyllis Grace Smith, née Vander Plaats, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2021, at the age of 96, just after visiting with her family. All of her living children were with her that day, including her granddaughters, all of us fully vaccinated by then. That evening we went to supper, “clinked our glasses” in her honor, and it seemed like she waited to pass until her family was all together for a meal.
Beloved wife of the late Rev. Kenneth L. Smith. Loving mother of Cheri (Mark) Damkoehler, Grantley Smith (Jane Wang), the late Andrew Smith, and Kermit (Janine) Smith. Proud grandmother of Jenna and Leah. Cherished sister-in-law of Edgar Rummler. Devoted aunt of Brenda, Vicki, Scott, Jill, and Lori. She is survived by other relatives and friends.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her son Andrew, her brothers Hubert and Norman Vander Plaats, and her sister Marcene Rummler.
Born in Brookings, SD, Phyllis had many paths in life from South Dakota and Oklahoma, to California, Chicago, and Milwaukee, as well as visits to Europe and China. She was a teacher, early childhood program administrator for the YWCA, art therapist, pianist, vocalist (including singing in a Carnegie Hall concert with combined university choruses), painter, quilter, and mother to four children (and many cats, a dog, a hamster, and a snake). She earned degrees in Education, Christian Education, Art Education, and, at the age of 68, she completed a master’s degree in Art Therapy at Mount Mary University. She was a supporter of the “Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee”, and dedicated many years of her life to peace work, such as through UNICEF (The United Nations Children’s Fund), and WILPF (The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom). Phyllis is also fondly remembered as a chef for many family dinners and occasions which, according to Ken, were always the best meal ever … every time!
The art works left on our walls, the memories of meals, and life-time nourishment of those she loved, and was loved by, will be our blessings and sustenance for the rest of our lives.
On Saturday, July 10, 2021, we will remember, honor, and celebrate Phyllis’ life at her family church in Wauwatosa, WI.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Gathering Time (to look at photos from her life, and Phyllis’ artworks & mementos).
1:00 PM -2:30 PM Memorial Celebration Service
Afterwards: iced tea & lemonade in the church courtyard (weather permitting)
— Light Lunch to follow — Please RSVP for the lunch to the email here: (email gpercussion@gmail.com for the church address, lunch RSVP & other details) … Visitors are reminded to wear a face mask if un-vaccinated.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Phyllis’ Memory to:
1) Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee https://www.interfaithconference.org/donation
2) Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force www.hungertaskforce.org/donate/donate-now/
Vicki Rummler
left a message on July 1, 2021:
