Phyllis DeLaporte
If you knew Phyllis DeLaporte, you would think of her as being feisty at times, opinionated, loving to “chit-chat” with her friends and having a kind heart in helping care for her closest friends when they were ill. She helped in supporting our community with years of volunteering at St. Anthony Retreat Center, ushering at the Grand Theater, hospice volunteer, Christmas bell ringing for Salvation Army and delivering Mobile Meals with her husband, John.
Phyllis was born February 10, 1935, in Hannibal, Mo., to the late John and Monica (McLaughlin) Moore. She grew up in Hannibal and was a graduate of McCooey High School. Finding a cute boy working at a local gas station, Phyllis set her eyes on John DeLaporte. He didn’t have a chance and they were married in Hannibal on June 9, 1956. John’s job with Macy’s entailed moving to several different cities, with Phyllis being a fulltime mom, taking care of five children and making each house a home.
In 1974, her family moved to Marathon City, where Phyllis worked as a teacher’s aide for Marathon Elementary School, while John was store manager at Prangeway in Wausau. She helped many a student and served a number of teachers over the years before retiring in 2000. Phyllis enjoyed golfing and was a past president in the Monday Women’s League at Rib Mountain Golf Course. The best part of golfing for her was dining afterwards with her friends at Carmelo’s. She spent her free time solving picture puzzles, going for walks, reading and traveling. Whether it was holidays, birthday celebrations, family reunions or just Sunday dinners, Phyllis treasured times spent with family.
At the age of 89, Phyllis passed away at home on Saturday, June 1, 2024, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her husband, John of Wausau; five children: John III (Dorene “Dee”) of Holts Summit, Mo., Chris (Debbie) of Wausau, Doug of Washington Island, Nancy (Mike) Lensmire of Lake DuBay and Jo Ann (Rick) Redding of Apple Valley, Minn.; seven grandchildren: John (Cynthia) DeLaporte IV, Lucas (Jennifer) DeLaporte, Adam (Tierra) Lensmire, Anna (Brady) McIntee, Sarah DeLaporte, Ben Redding and Caitlin Redding, six great-grandchildren: John V (“JC”), Jaxon, Harlow, Simon, Isabel and Madison, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers: John and Donald (Penny) Moore and three sisters: Monica Ann Moore, Mary Pat (Jim) O’Hearn and Sharon Keeler.
A Mass of Christian burial will be 11:30 a.m., Thursday, June 6, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon City. Reverend Monsignor Joseph Diermeier will preside. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at church.
Memorials may be directed to St. Anthony Spirituality Center, 300 E. 4th St., Marathon City, WI 54448, American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.
Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www. helke. com.
Paid obituary 153625
