Phyllis M. France

Phyllis Marie (Ewers) France completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 615 Broadway Street, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the service from 11:00 a.m. to noon. A luncheon will be served following the service.

Phyllis Marie Ewers was born at home in rural North Clayton, WI, on March 29, 1933, the third of five children born to Carrie (Gander) Ewers and Frank Ewers. While still quite young, her family moved to Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.

Phyllis attended school at Soldiers Grove and graduated as salutatorian in 1951. She and Robert John France fell in love after being paired up on a blind date. Her sense of humor captured Bob’s interest from the start. On their first date, she had him laughing at an incident involving a failed batch of bread dough that she tossed outside for the birds.

They were united in marriage on July 5, 1952, and shared 64 years together until Bob’s death. During the first decade of their marriage, they had six children whom they raised with love, joy, music, just the right amount of discipline, and lots of laughter.

As a child, Phyllis attended the Methodist Church in Soldiers Grove. After marrying Bob, she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Prairie du Sac, followed by the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Prairie du Sac, and later the United Methodist Church in Baraboo. She was a devout Christian whose faith was rooted in compassion and acceptance.

Phyllis belonged to a coffee klatch in Prairie du Sac that lasted for over 50 years, even though she did not drink coffee, preferring tea. The women’s individual personalities and perspectives fostered friendships that remained strong through the decades.

After her youngest child entered kindergarten, Phyllis sought employment that would allow her work and vacation schedule to coincide with that of her children’s. She began a 26-year career as a secretary in the Sauk-Prairie School District, working first at the high school, then at Madison Street School, and finally at Merrimac Elementary School. She loved the students with whom she interacted, especially those who found themselves in the office more often than others.

Mom and Dad loved to travel, camp, and canoe with their children. After retiring, Phyllis made two trips to Europe.

Our mother was also active in her community, serving as an officer and member of the Sauk County Historical Society, as well as officer and member of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) and Weight Watchers.

Mom was avid reader from childhood throughout her life and especially loved poetry. She often created poems to celebrate special occasions for family and friends. When our mother and father had a difference of opinion, they would sometimes enlist us children as runners between the kitchen, where Mom was cooking, and the living room, where Dad was watching TV, to deliver their arguments in rhyming couplets, which became increasingly humorous during the hither-thither process.

Our mother loved being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great-great-grandmother, caring deeply for all of the children across each generation.

She lived a full and rich life, marked by love, generosity, and a willingness to help others. Mom was always eager to lend a hand with moving, cleaning, and cooking. She believed everyone deserved a thoughtful gift and often shared her home-baked treats with friends. Her compassion extended beyond the family, as she took meals to the widowed husband of a long-time coffee klatch friend until his death.

Phyllis is survived by her children: Mary (Gary Smith) France, Laurie (Bill) Dummer, Debra (Ken) Rosen, Robert (Maria Pulla) France, and Gregory France; her son-in-law, Jerry (Melanie) Volbrecht; and her grandchildren: Tarin Carroll, Michael (Shannon) Carroll, Kristen Rosen, Jared Rosen; Darcy (Austin) Edmonds, Kari (Orlando) Cantu, Kathy Jowett, and Greg Neumaier

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Mindham France; Lori (Platt) Heidenreich, a neighbor who became like a sister to us and another daughter to Mom; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews - all of whom were loved by her but too numerous to list individually.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Carrie (Gander) Ewers; her husband, Robert John France; her daughter, Melanie Joyce Volbrecht; her siblings and their spouses, Lola (LeRoy) Smith and Roger (Rita) Ewers, as well as her brothers Jim Ewers and Tommy Ewers, who died at birth; and her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law from the France family, Bruce France, Betty (John) Grey, and Donald (Joanne) France.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Oak Park Place for providing our mother with a safe, welcoming home and engaging activities. We are equally grateful to Bristol Hospice for the compassionate and excellent care they provided our mother during the final weeks of her life. Their kindness and attention helped to ensure Mom’s comfort in every way while she resided at Oak Park Place in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

We also want to thank Rev. Dawee, Rev. David Lussa and Pastor Erick for visiting our mother to pray, offer comfort, and sing. Their presence and messages brought peace and comfort to Mom and our family.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make our mother’s final years more comfortable and filled with care and compassion.

Requiescas in pace, Mater. May you rest in peace, Mother.