Phyllis Jean Huffman (nee Rasmusson) passed away at her home on October 2, 2015 at the age of 89. Long time resident of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Rapids. Beloved wife of the late William F. Huffman. Loving mother of the late Polly (David) Ullrich of Chicago, Claire (Glen) Hackmann of River Hills, Thomas (Kristin Vonnegut) of Avon, MN, and Joel (Karen) Huffman of Mequon. Proud grandmother of Eric Ullrich of Chicago, Nora and Mayuri Huffman Vonnegut both of Avon, MN, and Bennett and Eleanor Huffman both of Mequon. Dear sister of Arlene (the late Richard) Artz of Naples, FL, and Roberta (Richard) Protzmann of Oconomowoc. Further survived by many relatives and good friends.
Phyllis was born in Milwaukee on August 31, 1926, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Sylvia (Flogstad) Rasmusson. She spent her childhood in Wauwatosa. The granddaughter of Scandinavian immigrants, Phyllis learned well the values of hard work, education, intellectual challenge and generosity. She carried this ethos forward as a stellar student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she served as the President of the Women’s Self Government Association and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She was a loyal Badger and later served as a member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors and on the Board of Visitors for the School of Human Ecology--or, as she would have it-- the Home Economics Department. A member of Mortar Board and a Badger Beauty, she graduated in 1948. At the UW she also met her husband-to-be, William Huffman. They married in 1949, shortly after he returned from service in WW II. In 1950, they moved to his home town of Wisconsin Rapids so that Bill could assume management of the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the radio stations WFHR and WWRW upon his father’s death.
As a loving, intelligent and engaged wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis fostered joyful play, reading, appreciation of the arts and community service. A connoisseur of Scandinavian handicrafts, design and cuisine, Phyllis introduced her family to the finer aspects of lutefisk (if there are any) and the art and craft of hand-knitted sweaters, hats, mittens and various other beautifully wrought items of apparel. Always the competitor, Phyllis loved tennis and made many friends on the courts wherever she lived. Whether living in Wisconsin Rapids or Milwaukee, Phyllis advanced philanthropic leadership and community involvement. She led the boards of the Riverview Hospital, the McMillan Memorial Library, and South Wood County YMCA in Wisconsin Rapids and also served on the boards of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, Northland College and the Milwaukee Art Museum among others. In 1997, she established a named fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Women’s Fund to help underprivileged women reach their potency and potential as learners, mothers, and community leaders. As a seasonal resident of New York City, she spent her time as a docent at the American Craft Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. She tutored grade schoolers on the lower East Side and enrolled in classes at Fordham University, tackling classes in foreign policy, economics and religion. Phyllis and Bill lived in New York City for almost 15 winters, relishing their time there but always happy to return to their homes and family in Milwaukee and Northern Wisconsin in the spring.
Phyllis leaves a legacy of generosity, intelligence, fortitude and commitment to ideals that provide a path for her family and friends to follow. We have loved her dearly for our entire lives and will miss her greatly; until we meet again, as we surely will. The Huffman family would like to thank Dr. Sophie Kramer and the compassionate, kind, and gentle caregivers who supported Phyllis through the last years of her life
Phyllis was born in Milwaukee on August 31, 1926, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Sylvia (Flogstad) Rasmusson. She spent her childhood in Wauwatosa. The granddaughter of Scandinavian immigrants, Phyllis learned well the values of hard work, education, intellectual challenge and generosity. She carried this ethos forward as a stellar student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she served as the President of the Women’s Self Government Association and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She was a loyal Badger and later served as a member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors and on the Board of Visitors for the School of Human Ecology--or, as she would have it-- the Home Economics Department. A member of Mortar Board and a Badger Beauty, she graduated in 1948. At the UW she also met her husband-to-be, William Huffman. They married in 1949, shortly after he returned from service in WW II. In 1950, they moved to his home town of Wisconsin Rapids so that Bill could assume management of the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the radio stations WFHR and WWRW upon his father’s death.
As a loving, intelligent and engaged wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis fostered joyful play, reading, appreciation of the arts and community service. A connoisseur of Scandinavian handicrafts, design and cuisine, Phyllis introduced her family to the finer aspects of lutefisk (if there are any) and the art and craft of hand-knitted sweaters, hats, mittens and various other beautifully wrought items of apparel. Always the competitor, Phyllis loved tennis and made many friends on the courts wherever she lived. Whether living in Wisconsin Rapids or Milwaukee, Phyllis advanced philanthropic leadership and community involvement. She led the boards of the Riverview Hospital, the McMillan Memorial Library, and South Wood County YMCA in Wisconsin Rapids and also served on the boards of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, Northland College and the Milwaukee Art Museum among others. In 1997, she established a named fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Women’s Fund to help underprivileged women reach their potency and potential as learners, mothers, and community leaders. As a seasonal resident of New York City, she spent her time as a docent at the American Craft Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. She tutored grade schoolers on the lower East Side and enrolled in classes at Fordham University, tackling classes in foreign policy, economics and religion. Phyllis and Bill lived in New York City for almost 15 winters, relishing their time there but always happy to return to their homes and family in Milwaukee and Northern Wisconsin in the spring.
Phyllis leaves a legacy of generosity, intelligence, fortitude and commitment to ideals that provide a path for her family and friends to follow. We have loved her dearly for our entire lives and will miss her greatly; until we meet again, as we surely will. The Huffman family would like to thank Dr. Sophie Kramer and the compassionate, kind, and gentle caregivers who supported Phyllis through the last years of her life
Phyllis Jean Huffman (nee Rasmusson) passed away at her home on October 2, 2015 at the age of 89. Long time resident of Milwaukee and Wisconsin Rapids. Beloved wife of the late William F. Huffman. Loving mother of the late Polly (David) Ullrich of Chicago, Claire (Glen) Hackmann of River Hills, Thomas (Kristin Vonnegut) of Avon, MN, and Joel (Karen) Huffman of Mequon. Proud grandmother of Eric Ullrich of Chicago, Nora and Mayuri Huffman Vonnegut both of Avon, MN, and Bennett and Eleanor Huffman both of Mequon. Dear sister of Arlene (the late Richard) Artz of Naples, FL, and Roberta (Richard) Protzmann of Oconomowoc. Further survived by many relatives and good friends.
Phyllis was born in Milwaukee on August 31, 1926, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Sylvia (Flogstad) Rasmusson. She spent her childhood in Wauwatosa. The granddaughter of Scandinavian immigrants, Phyllis learned well the values of hard work, education, intellectual challenge and generosity. She carried this ethos forward as a stellar student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she served as the President of the Women’s Self Government Association and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She was a loyal Badger and later served as a member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors and on the Board of Visitors for the School of Human Ecology--or, as she would have it-- the Home Economics Department. A member of Mortar Board and a Badger Beauty, she graduated in 1948. At the UW she also met her husband-to-be, William Huffman. They married in 1949, shortly after he returned from service in WW II. In 1950, they moved to his home town of Wisconsin Rapids so that Bill could assume management of the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the radio stations WFHR and WWRW upon his father’s death.
As a loving, intelligent and engaged wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis fostered joyful play, reading, appreciation of the arts and community service. A connoisseur of Scandinavian handicrafts, design and cuisine, Phyllis introduced her family to the finer aspects of lutefisk (if there are any) and the art and craft of hand-knitted sweaters, hats, mittens and various other beautifully wrought items of apparel. Always the competitor, Phyllis loved tennis and made many friends on the courts wherever she lived. Whether living in Wisconsin Rapids or Milwaukee, Phyllis advanced philanthropic leadership and community involvement. She led the boards of the Riverview Hospital, the McMillan Memorial Library, and South Wood County YMCA in Wisconsin Rapids and also served on the boards of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, Northland College and the Milwaukee Art Museum among others. In 1997, she established a named fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Women’s Fund to help underprivileged women reach their potency and potential as learners, mothers, and community leaders. As a seasonal resident of New York City, she spent her time as a docent at the American Craft Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. She tutored grade schoolers on the lower East Side and enrolled in classes at Fordham University, tackling classes in foreign policy, economics and religion. Phyllis and Bill lived in New York City for almost 15 winters, relishing their time there but always happy to return to their homes and family in Milwaukee and Northern Wisconsin in the spring.
Phyllis leaves a legacy of generosity, intelligence, fortitude and commitment to ideals that provide a path for her family and friends to follow. We have loved her dearly for our entire lives and will miss her greatly; until we meet again, as we surely will. The Huffman family would like to thank Dr. Sophie Kramer and the compassionate, kind, and gentle caregivers who supported Phyllis through the last years of her life
Phyllis was born in Milwaukee on August 31, 1926, the daughter of the late Ernest J. and Sylvia (Flogstad) Rasmusson. She spent her childhood in Wauwatosa. The granddaughter of Scandinavian immigrants, Phyllis learned well the values of hard work, education, intellectual challenge and generosity. She carried this ethos forward as a stellar student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she served as the President of the Women’s Self Government Association and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She was a loyal Badger and later served as a member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors and on the Board of Visitors for the School of Human Ecology--or, as she would have it-- the Home Economics Department. A member of Mortar Board and a Badger Beauty, she graduated in 1948. At the UW she also met her husband-to-be, William Huffman. They married in 1949, shortly after he returned from service in WW II. In 1950, they moved to his home town of Wisconsin Rapids so that Bill could assume management of the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune and the radio stations WFHR and WWRW upon his father’s death.
As a loving, intelligent and engaged wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis fostered joyful play, reading, appreciation of the arts and community service. A connoisseur of Scandinavian handicrafts, design and cuisine, Phyllis introduced her family to the finer aspects of lutefisk (if there are any) and the art and craft of hand-knitted sweaters, hats, mittens and various other beautifully wrought items of apparel. Always the competitor, Phyllis loved tennis and made many friends on the courts wherever she lived. Whether living in Wisconsin Rapids or Milwaukee, Phyllis advanced philanthropic leadership and community involvement. She led the boards of the Riverview Hospital, the McMillan Memorial Library, and South Wood County YMCA in Wisconsin Rapids and also served on the boards of the Wisconsin Humanities Council, Northland College and the Milwaukee Art Museum among others. In 1997, she established a named fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Women’s Fund to help underprivileged women reach their potency and potential as learners, mothers, and community leaders. As a seasonal resident of New York City, she spent her time as a docent at the American Craft Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. She tutored grade schoolers on the lower East Side and enrolled in classes at Fordham University, tackling classes in foreign policy, economics and religion. Phyllis and Bill lived in New York City for almost 15 winters, relishing their time there but always happy to return to their homes and family in Milwaukee and Northern Wisconsin in the spring.
Phyllis leaves a legacy of generosity, intelligence, fortitude and commitment to ideals that provide a path for her family and friends to follow. We have loved her dearly for our entire lives and will miss her greatly; until we meet again, as we surely will. The Huffman family would like to thank Dr. Sophie Kramer and the compassionate, kind, and gentle caregivers who supported Phyllis through the last years of her life
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