Phyllis M. Hansen, age 92, passed away on Saturday, June 2, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Phyllis was born on April 6, 1926, to Emil and Esther (Salzwedel) Opel in Columbus, WI. To the end, she maintained her fierce, independent and indomitable spirit — a strength of will that she sought to instill in all of her children. When she was 16, she moved on her own to Milwaukee, ultimately working to help in the WWII war effort by welding ammunition cases at a factory there. In the 1960s and again in the 1980s, she worked as a supervising cook in long-term nursing care facilities, first in Brookfield and then in Columbus. But her life ' s work and love was always her children, raising them to adulthood over a 33-year span and remaining devoted to them until her passing. In her later years, she relished her time living by Lake Mason in Briggsville, where she made many good memories with the " Golden Girls. " She loved travelling, boating and fishing and even caught a legal musky when she was in her 80s. She maintained her fitness throughout her life, still walking her cherished dog, Cuddles, around the block after she turned 90. And she continued to amaze us with her sharp wit in her last days. She is survived by six of her children, Robert P. Hansen of Montello, Gary (Grace Ann) Hansen of Ripon, David (Nancy) Hansen of Rhinelander, Darlene Crombie of Columbus, Diane Falk of Columbus and Kenneth (Jennifer) Hansen of Fitchburg; by 17 grandchildren, Chris, Tim (Tracy), and Brian (Maria) Hansen; Shane (Sarah) Hansen; Keith (Mike) and Brian Ruff; Kelly, Crystal, Kevin, Kyle, Casey and Chris Crombie; Ryan Falk and Amanda (Josh) Aspland; and Tyler (fiancée Emili), Ben and Jenna Hansen; 19 great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; her former husband, Roger Nehmer; her brother-in-law, John Schram; her grandson-in-law Dan O'Brien; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Robert S. Hansen; her son, Thomas Hansen; her sister, Pearl Schram; her two brothers, Roger and Larry Opel; two grandchildren, Mark Hansen and Katherine (Hansen) O ' Brien; her sister-in-law, Winifred Opel; her son-in-law, James Crombie; her daughter-in-law, Sharen Hansen; and her great grandchild, Charlotte Hansen. Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M., with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M., on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 120 Faith Drive, Columbus. Rev. Sandra Scheible and Rev. Mark Petersen co-officiated. Inurnment was 11:00 A.M. Thursday in Hillside Cemetery, Columbus. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, visitors and others who were so kind to her during her illness, especially Minister Sandy Schieble, Pastor Mark Petersen, Drs. Sam and Ralph Poser, and Dr. Gary Galvin.