Phyllis Erna Olson, age 96, passed away in her sleep on Tuesday February 21, 2023, in Shawano. She was born to the late Ewald and Erna (Dengel) Hafeman, on September 13, 1926, in Shawano. Phyllis attended Shawano schools her entire life and graduated from Shawano High School. After graduation, she became a member of the Cadet Nursing Corps during World War II. Phyllis attended nursing school in Chicago and worked at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. She loved being a nurse and was proud to serve in our military. Phyllis received an honorary plaque from the American Legion for her meritorious service and was also recently honored and presented with a US flag from a United States Senator. Upon returning to Shawano, she married her high school sweetheart, Vernon (Barney) Olson on June 28, 1947. Phyllis then worked at Citizen's State Bank for many years. She began as a teller and worked her way up to auditor – a rare job for a woman at that time. Phyllis and Barney had a long and happy marriage. They loved traveling, visiting almost every state in the US. They also enjoyed outdoor activities. They went hunting, fishing, played golf, went horseback riding and canoeing on the Wolf River. They were quite the team on Ball and Chain bowling league in Shawano. Phyllis and Barney were long time and faithful members of St. Jakobi Lutheran Church. Phyllis taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She was an avid reader and an accomplished artist. Phyllis loved rosemaling and working with oil paints. Her specialties were painting birds and wildlife.

Phyllis is survived by her special friends, Mary Ellen Felts, Donna Ward, Carol Magee

Phyllis is preceded in death by her loving husband, Barney; her brother, Clifford; couple's close friend, Mike Schuler. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday May 2, 2023, at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church, with Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the time of the service at the church.

Special thank you to ThedaCare at Home Hospice and Nola Hospice RN, for the wonderful care that Phyllis recived. Extra thank you to Molly, her social worker, for her extreme kindness towards Phyllis

In-lieu of flowers donations may be directed St. Jakobi Lutheran Church in Phyllis and Barney's name.