PHYLLIS TANGNEY
PHYLLIS TANGNEY
Phyllis Annette (Nelson) Tangney, 86, passed away Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Heritage Court in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Phyllis was born Nov. 18, 1936, to Andrew and Laura Leona (Rickey) Nelson in Elroy, WI. She was united in marriage to Patrick Tangney, the love of her life and best friend, June 13,1959, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, also in Elroy.
Phyllis, always a song in her heart and a dance in her step, was one of 14 children. She graduated from Elroy High School in 1954 where she was a cheerleader and head majorette, highlights of her high school years. Following graduation, she enrolled in Wisconsin State College at La Crosse earning teaching degrees in physical education and history. Many former students praised her exceptional teaching style. She even received a standing ovation at Hillsboro while being introduced at a school assembly.
Her main focus in life, though, was her family, as she and Pat raised their five children in Hillsboro and then lived their retirement years in Black River Falls. Together, they enjoyed bridge and golf. Phyllis had a special love for B-I-N-G-O. Family gatherings required BINGO with Grandma.
She preferred attention not be directed at her, but her grandchildren enjoyed, when prompted by Grandpa at the count of three to say, “Hi, pretty Grandma!” In conversations about Phyllis, one often heard the words classy, competitive, committed, kind and devoted. She was a constant presence at her children’s and grandchildren’s many special life events and activities. Her legacy will live on through generations to come.
Survivors include her children, Terri (Gerry) Fanta, Kris (Dave) Roou, Andi (Dan) Burns, Kelli (Jonathan) Williams and Patrick (Scott) Tangney. She is further survived by 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Meghan (James) Fanta-Gray, Allison (John) Pawielski, Ellie (Sam) Leapalt, Katie (Wyatt) Brown, Jack Roou, Erin Roou, Addi (Eric) Compton, Courtney Fanta, Claire Burns, Caleb Williams, Josi Williams, Maggie Roou, Rachel Burns, Lili Williams, Mike Roou, Patrick Burns and Hazel Tangney; and great-grandchildren Greta Pawielski, Bennett Pawielski, Rory Brown and Charles Gray.
Others surviving Phyllis are her sister, Shirley (Frank) Thomas; and brothers Gordon (Sally) Nelson, Larry (Mary Jane) Nelson and Ricky Nelson; sisters-in-law Silvia Nelson and Oneta Nelson; brother-in-law Chuck Swartz; her in-laws, Alice Leszczynski, Cathie Schroeder-Duerst, Jerome (Nancy) Tangney, Bernard (Linda) Tangney, Francis (Alice) Tangney and Bill Tangney; and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Gerald, Gene, Ross, Robert (Bobby), William (Billy), Dale and Keith; and sisters Joyce Nelson and Judy Swartz; brothers-in-law Dan Leszczynski and Ed Duerst; and sisters-in-law Dorothy Nelson, Virginia Nelson, and Kathy Nelson.
There was a visitation Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Torgerson Funeral Home, 408 N. Water Street in Black River Falls, WI.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Black River Falls Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. This disease took Phyllis from us, and we hope and pray a cure is in sight. (https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_give)
The family would like to express their thanks to Beth Wood, Suzie Amo, and Sandy Flick, who took such good care of Phyllis these last few years.