Phyllis Lorraine (Braaten) Severson passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Orchard Hills Assisted Living surrounded by her family. She was born in Colfax, Wisconsin on August 19, 1917, to Otto and Esther (Toycen) Braaten. They moved to Eau Claire when she was 11 years old. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1935, and worked at Barager Candy Factory, was an elevator operator at Scandinavian-American Fraternity Building in downtown Eau Claire, did office work at Luther Hospital, worked accounts receivable at Northern States Power Company, and after raising their children, worked with her husband and son in their chiropractic office. After WWII was over, she married her fiancé of 4 years, and love of her life, Charles Severson, on January 5, 1946. They moved to St. Louis, MO in 1949, while Charles finished chiropractic college. They returned to Eau Claire where she lived the rest of her life. Her home was always filled with music, and she sang in the church choir. She taught herself to play the piano and organ for her own pleasure. She was faithfully involved in numerous activities at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church and valued her church family as much as her own. She also taught Sunday School and was involved in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; her parents; sister, Nordica Johnson; and infant brother, Otto Everett. She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Glenn) Johansen of Spring Valley, WI, Gregory (Jean) of Eau Claire, Gayle of Eau Claire, Deborah (David) Fisher of Eau Claire, and Mark of Eau Claire. She is also survived by grandchildren, Krista (Mark) Loyas, Dana (Erin) Johansen, Andrew ( Michelle) Johansen, and Kaija ( Michael) Vanasse; Thea (Brian) Weinberger, Eric ( Stacy) Severson, Kari (Joseph) Zeisset, and Emily Severson; Brian Fisher, Brock (Allison) Fisher, and Mark Fisher; Kelsey Severson-Marano and Hayley Severson. She is additionally survived by 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson, other relatives and friends. The family graciously thanks the kind and loving staff of Orchard Hills Assisted Living for their support and care of their precious mother for the last 2 years. They would also like to thank Sacred Heart Hospital and Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice for their support in her final days. The family would like to express a special thank you to the ministerial staff at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church for their compassion and visits and special friend, Lois Johnson, for faithfully taking her to Bible study every week. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire. Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013, at Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church, 123 W. Hamilton Ave. Eau Claire with Pastors Rodney Venberg and Paul Larson officiating. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. In lieu of monetary gifts, Phyllis requested memorials to a mission of the donor's choice or contact the family for suggestions.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Sunday, April 7 2013 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Monday, April 8 2013 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church 123 W. Hamilton Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701

Funeral Service

Monday, April 8 2013 11:00 AM

Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church 123 W. Hamilton Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701