Obituary for Phyllis Lynch

Phyllis Elaine “Phyl” Lynch, 82, of La Crosse, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Riverside Transitional Care in La Crosse, from acute chronic respiratory failure and bronchiectasis. She was born November 12, 1942, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, IA, to Ellen (Aukland) and Lawrence Watland.

Phyllis and her mother lived with her grandparents in Eagle Grove, IA, while her father was fighting in Europe during WWII. Her father saw her when she was born and then again at the age of 3 months. The next time her father saw her was when she was 3 years old.

She attended a rural school through 8th grade and then West Lyon High School, in Inwood, IA, graduating salutatorian in 1961. Following high school, she attended Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, MN, graduating in 1964.

Phyllis began her nursing career as a staff nurse at Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, IA (1964-1973). She then moved to Onalaska, WI, where she worked as a charge nurse at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse (1973-1977), and then at Mulder Health Care Facility in West Salem, WI, as a unit supervisor and charge nu Phyllis loved reading, traveling to visit family and friends, playing cards, word games and puzzles, eating out, happy hour with close friends Dixie and Jim, playing Scrabble with long time friend Vicki, teaching her grandchildren to play Scrabble, and making "skinny thin pancakes" for her grandchildren. She loved watching Packer football and Wisconsin and Iowa football and basketball on TV.

She was a long time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the Care Ministry Team and a Causeway and Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Phyllis married Gary L. Kelling in 1964. They had 2 sons, Kevin Troy and Timothy Scott. They divorced in 1983. She married John Englerth in 1987, and he died in 1998. In 2010, she married Thomas A. Lynch.

Phyllis is survived by her adoring husband, Tom; her sons, Kevin (Virginia “Ginny”) of Grand Rapids, MI, and Timothy (Lisa) of Saratoga Springs, NY; grandchildren, Samson, Aksel, and twin granddaughters, Kennedy and Brooklyn; her sisters, Jane Bea (Wayne) Wierson of Meridian, ID and Mary Ellen (David) Hage of Williamsburg, VA; brother, Paul Lawrence (Peggy) Watland of Meridian, ID; eight nieces and nephews; and 13 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Gundersen Health System, Riverside Transitional Care, and Gundersen Hospice Team for the loving care given to Phyllis, especially the wonderful nurses and care assistants at Riverside Transitional Care. Also, a special thank you to Charlene Elderkin for sharing her beautiful harp music that Phyllis enjoyed so much.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 11:00 am., with visitation to be held from 10:00 am. until time of service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse. A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, La Crosse.