Phyllis Cecelia Dollar (Patnode), 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026, leaving a legacy of extraordinary dedication to her family, career, and community.
Born on January 3, 1927 in White Lake, Wisconsin to Peter and Lillian (“Beatrice”) Patnode, Phyllis spent her youth in Milwaukee. It was there she met and married Robert “Doc” Dollar, sharing 37 beautiful years together until his passing in 1982. In 1970, the family relocated to Wild Rose, where Phyllis began a legendary 50-year career as the Office Manager for Shelmet Precision Casting, a place she considered a second family, working proudly until her retirement at age 92.
Phyllis poured her boundless energy into her community and faith. She was a long-time parishioner, choir director, and organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wautoma, and volunteered extensively with the Homemaker’s Club and the Wild Rose Town Board.
Above all, Phyllis cherished her family. She spent her final years surrounded by warmth and laughter, living with her surviving daughters, Vicki Dollar and Barb Frater. She held a deep affection for her sons-in-law, Tom McConnell, Gerry Ertl, and Dean Frater, and found endless joy doting on her multi-generational legacy of grand-, great-grand-, and great-great-grandchildren. She joins in eternal rest her children Curtis, Richard, Linda, and Lorraine, along with her eight siblings.
Phyllis will be remembered for her famous yellow potato salad, her love of a Friday night Old Fashioned, an impressive shoe collection, and her firm belief that anything could be remodeled with a hacksaw. Though she was terrible at Pictionary, she excelled at Solitaire and at living a life beautifully full of purpose. The ripples of her absence will be deeply and lastingly felt.
A funeral service for Phyllis took place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH – MENASHA, 528 2nd Street, Menasha. Friends visited from 12 NOON until the time of service. A second service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026 at SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH - WAUTOMA, 364 S Cambridge, Wautoma, WI 54982.
The family extends its deep gratitude to ThedaCare’s Cherry Meadows Hospice for their beautifully compassionate care of Phyllis.
Gifts in Phyllis' name can be made to support the organizations close to her heart, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Wild Rose Lions Club (supporting the local community she loved so dearly).
