Obituaries

Phyllis Ann (Rotter) Benson (Phyl or Liz, to her friends) passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 10, 2019, at the age of 91. She was surrounded by family… husband Frank and sons Greg (Kitty and grandchildren Kirsten and Kelsey), Matt (Mollie), and Danny (Carol)…  Phyllis was the daughter of Fred and Margaret Rotter of Menominee, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters — Dorothy, Beulah (Boots), Elaine, Fred (Bud), and Roy.

Mom was born in Kingsford Heights, Michigan, and spent most of her childhood on a small family farm in Menominee. When she was 19, she headed to Washington, DC, where she lived with two of her sisters and worked for the Internal Revenue Service. They lived right behind the Supreme Court and Phyl loved to tell stories of square dancing at the YMCA and walking down the middle of Constitution and Independence Avenues in the early evenings because the streets were empty. She loved spending time with her Uncle Charlie and Aunt Agatha who also lived in DC. A couple of years later, Mom headed to Japan to work as a secretary for the U.S. military. She loved the beauty of Japan and its people. She also made several lifelong friends there. Of course, singing and dancing were other highlights. When she returned home to Menominee, she loved sharing her many photos and stories about Japan and did many presentations for friends and family.

In 1954, Phyllis started working for Ansul Chemical in Marinette, Wisconsin. She met Dad there in 1956 and they were married a year and a half later. When they were dating, they often went canoeing on the Peshtigo and Little Menominee Rivers, and to dinners at their favorite supper club, Shaffer’s.

The Family Benson started taking shape in 1958 with Greg’s birth, followed by Matt in 1960 and Danny in 1963. It grew to include three daughters-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters. All came together for many memorable family gatherings over the years.

Mom loved the north country – the upper peninsula of Michigan; Door County, Wisconsin; and the Boundary Waters near Ely, Minnesota. There, Phyllis enjoyed wilderness canoe camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, birdwatching and smelling the roses.

She had an incredible memory, and loved visiting and telling stories of the great adventures in her life. We frequently joked that she remembered more than the rest of us combined. Mom also loved reading, writing poetry and researching history and genealogy.

More than anything else, Mom had dancing feet, a smile on her face and a song for every occasion.

It’s hard to think of the world or our lives without Phyllis.

Please take a look at the attached link of Phyllis and Frank dancing to Take my Hand.

Services for Phyllis were private. For more information please contact the funeral home.

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