Phyllis E. Gabriel, 90, formerly of Eau Claire, died Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at Country Terrace Assisted Living in Menomonie, WI, under the care of Northwest Hospice.\r\nShe was born in Burnside Township in Trempealeau County on December 13, 1918, the daughter of John and Luella (Ward) Burt. She graduated from Independence High School in 1936. During World War II, Phyllis worked in Milwaukee in a munitions plant where she met her future husband Jim. \r\nPhyllis married James E. Gabriel on June 5, 1943, in Independence, WI. Together they reared five children and all enjoyed time on their farm in Meridean. He passed away in 1973.\r\nShe was a member of First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire for many years, a former leader for Eau Claire Girl Scouts, and a member of the Northland Campers. Phyllis was a wonderful homemaker making bread every week, cooking everyday for a family of seven with no fast food or deli. Her hobbies included sewing clothing for her children, knitting, gardening, and crossword puzzles. Above all, she loved being with her family and reading her bible daily. Phyllis's grandchildren will always remember learning to make lefse with her.\r\nShe enjoyed special trips to England, Scotland and Nova Scotia. \r\nPhyllis is survived by her three sons, Brian (Norma) Gabriel of Menomonie, Tim Gabriel (Clare Hardie) of Tacoma, WA, and Mark (Judy) Gabriel of Champlin, MN; two daughters, Mary (Jeff) Hess of Seattle, WA and Marcia (Douglas) Tanner of Minneapolis, MN; five grandchildren, Jeffery, Justin, Evan, Alison, and Matthew; two sisters, Verna Gunderson of Eau Claire and Blanche Magnuson of Blair; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents; three brothers, Wendell, Allen, and Clayton Burt; and three sisters, Margaret Gitzlaff, Agnes Amble, and Mabel Larson.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire with Pastor Lowell H. Halvorson officiating. Burial will be in Peru Cemetery in the Town of Peru, Dunn County, WI. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral&Cremation Services is serving her family.\r\nHer family requests that memorials please be directed to First Lutheran Church, 1005 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703 or the International Essential Tremor Foundation, P.O. Box 14005, Lenexa, KS 66285-4005.\r\nThe family would like to thank the staff at Red Cedar Medical Center, Country Terrace Assisted Living, and Northwest Homecare Hospice for the loving care they provided Phyllis.\r\n \r\n

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