Phyllis Reetzke

Phyllis Ann Reetzke, 93, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at the Medical Center Bowling Green. Phyllis was born on December 31, 1926, in Elmhurst, IL, to William and Ruth Hackstein. The youngest of four sisters, Phyllis grew up in the suburbs of Villa Park. She graduated from York High School, where she was a reporter and editor for the school newspaper, as well as a member of the Honors Society and the Quill and Scroll Society. While in high school, Phyllis accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Phyllis met the love of her life, Richard Reetzke, at a Youth for Christ meeting in Chicago, IL, on March 2, 1946, and the couple married a year later on March 1, 1947. They bonded over their shared faith in their Lord Jesus Christ, singing His praises and sharing the Gospel with anyone who had an ear to listen. Phyllis faithfully accompanied her husband to witness to others in Knox, IN, Albany, GA, and Savannah, GA, from the early 1950s to the early 1960s. Phyllis was a devoted wife and mother; she lovingly dedicated her life to raising her four children, Richard David, John, Martha, and Daniel. In 1963, the family settled in Louisville, KY, where they lived for 56 years. Phyllis was active in the Louisville Christian Women's Club, where she was one of the original executive board members. In the 1980s, Phyllis started a prayer coffee with ten other women whom she affectionately referred to as her sisters in Christ. She eventually hosted this prayer coffee in her home from 2010 until she moved to Bowling Green, KY, in 2019. Phyllis and Richard were in fellowship with the believers at the Louisville Bible Fellowship assembly, where she was the assembly's encourager. She was known for her angelic smile, steadfast faith, joyful optimism, hospitality, and beautiful singing voice. Phyllis knew every hymn by heart and sang every hymn in perfect pitch. She possessed the gift of engaging and conversing with people of all ages; she could recount impeccable details of each individual's life and could not leave a meeting until she checked in to see how each person present was doing. She organized numerous devotions for weddings and baby showers and was always ready to welcome you into her home for a meal followed by one of her exceptional desserts paired with a warm cup of tea or coffee - whether you were a young couple or a large family. Apart from spending time with her Christian family in Louisville, Phyllis and Richard were regular mall walkers at the Mall St. Matthews in Louisville, where her adoring friends called her ""Sunshine"" because of her effervescent smile and warm personality. The couple also enjoyed traveling to visit with friends and family across the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Missouri. A treasured grandmother, Phyllis especially enjoyed trips to visit her three grandchildren in Adolphus and later, in Franklin, KY; and looked forward to her grandchildren's visits to Louisville. Phyllis always had a Tupperware lovingly prepared for her grandchildren with an assortment of brownies and cookies, which were often devoured by the end of a weekend visit. Apart from these treats, her family greatly anticipated her delicious German chocolate cakes served at birthdays, and her celebrated pecan pies which she served at Thanksgivings and Christmases. She loved nothing more than to have her family gathered around her dining room table for special Sunday meals and holiday feasts. In addition to her musical, baking, and cooking talents, Phyllis was a lover of nature, exceptional writer, and stunning seamstress. She never forgot the birthday or anniversary of a family member or friend and always took the time to send a card which included a thoughtful note of encouragement, letting that friend or family member know that she truly loved them. Phyllis was a true inspiration to all with her radiant smile, positive attitude, steadfast resilience, and profound faith that seemed to permeate any room she was in. A selfless servant to her Lord Jesus Christ, Phyllis always found a way to be optimistic and encourage others, even through her own hardships and trials. Phyllis was cherished and deeply loved by her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. She will be deeply missed. Ms. Reetzke is survived by her son, Daniel Reetzke (Denise) of Franklin, KY; her daughter-in-law, Kelley Reetzke of Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren, Rachel Reetzke (Han Yi) of Fulton, MD, Daniel Reetzke (Kathryn) of Franklin, KY, and Angelica Reetzke of Franklin, KY; and her great-grandchildren, Chloe, Elizabeth, and Ruthanne Reetzke, all of Franklin, KY. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 73 years, Richard John Reetzke; her children, Richard D. Reetzke, John Reetzke, and Martha Boyle; her sisters, Dorothy, Ruth Kruse, and Betty Garren; and her parents, William and Ruth (Otterdahl) Hackstein. Visitation for Phyllis Ann Reetzke will begin at 11:00 AM on July 11, 2020, with a funeral service at 1:00 PM at Cone Funeral Home, 1510 Campbell Lane, Bowling Green, KY. Service Details. Service When: Jul 11 2020 1:00pm Location: Cone Funeral Home Address: 1510 Campbell Lane BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104